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FILE PHOTO: Suspected cultists paraded by Anambra State Police Command
By PAMELA EBOH, Awka
No fewer than 100 suspected cultists have been nabbed by the Special Anti-Cult Unit (SPACS) of the Anambra State Police Command.
The arrests which was as a result of a joint operation with Puff-Adder/Kpochakpu operatives was done simultaneously during the raid of various hide outs and black spots in the state.
Areas of arrest include Ogidi/Nkpor axis, Onitsha/Nkpor area, Oba/Nnewi, Nsugbe/Nkwelle axis, among others.
A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed detailing the arrests reads in part: “On 01/05 /2020 at Ogidi /Nkpor axis, 15 suspected cultists arrested. On 02 /05 /2020 at Awka /Amansi axis, 10 suspected cultists arrested. On 03 /05 /2020 at Onitsha /Nkpor axis, 07 suspected cultists arrested. On 04/05/2020 at Oba/Nnewi axis, 22 suspected cultists arrested. On 05/05/2020, at Nsugbe/Nkwelle-ezunaka axis, 10 suspected cultists arrested. On 06/05/2020,at Ogbunike/Abagana axis, 18 suspected cultists arrested.
“On 07/05/2020 at Nanka /Oko axis, 10 suspected cultists arrested. On 08/05/2020, at Ogidi axis, 18 suspected cultists arrested. On 09 /05/2020, at Amawbia/Ekwulobia/Nanka axis, 11 suspected cultists arrested. On 10/05/2020, at Oba/Nkpor axis, 04 suspected cultistsarrested. On 11/05/2020 at Oko/Ogbunike axis, 22 suspected cultists arrested.
“From all the raids carried out, a total of 147 suspects were arrested. 55 suspects were screened out and released unconditionally, 35 suspects were charged to court. 17 were profiled and placed under police supervision for being under aged while 40 suspects areundergoing investigation.”
Mohammed reeled out exhibits recovered from the suspects to include, 10 locally made pistols, 9 machetes, 10 live cartridges, 5 axes, 4 daggers, 3 barrets. Others are 1 improvised gun, 1 bundle of foil, 3 Vikings regalia, 10 improvised bunkers and substances suspected to be Cocaine/weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa.
According to Mohammed, the suspects have voluntarily confessed to being members of various secret cult groups.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP John Abang, has thanked Anambra people for providing the Command with actionable intelligence.
He assured the public of adequate protection, even as he called on Anambra people and residents alike to report any suspicious persons or movements to the nearest Police Station or call police emergency number 07039194332 for prompt response.
