By OBINNA UNAEZE

The Joint Security Force (JSF) in Anambra State has arrested seven suspected cultists allegedly being groomed for violence in the November 8th governorship election in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Awka.

?In its sustained efforts to curb cult-related violence and ensure a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the Nov. 8 governorship election, operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS) Enugu-Ukwu in collaboration with Agunechemba Vigilance Operatives, in the early hours of Oct. 26 arrested seven suspected members of the Black Axe Confraternity.

?The suspects were arrested during an initiation ceremony in a bush at Obinagu, Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area (LGA),? he said.

Ikenga said that one keg of 25-litre containing red liquid substance, red ritual cloth, two wooden drums, footwear belonging to the suspects and other accomplices were also recovered at the scene.

He said that the suspects, all males include Emmanuel Ugorji, 29, Chinuike Ogamba, 22, Chibuzor Agudiegu, 25, Destiny Okasi, 22, Nzube Udewulu, 19, Ifeanyi Anikpe, 21 and Sunday Akuma, 20 years.

According to Ikenga, preliminary information revealed that the initiation was part of their evil ceremony and grooming for election thuggery in Njikoka and Anaocha LGAs of the state.

?The suspects on sighting the operatives, attempted to flee, but were successfully apprehended after a swift chase,? he said.

He said that an investigation had begun to identify and arrest fleeing members of the syndicate and to uncover other linked cult cells within the axis.

The police spokesman quoted the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, as saying that the Command would not tolerate activities that threatened peace in the state, especially in the build-up to the governorship election.

Orutugu urged parents, community leaders and youth groups to intensify moral guidance and discourage involvement in cultism and political violence.

The CP also called on the public to continue providing credible information that would assist in preventing crime and apprehending criminal elements in the state. (NAN)

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