Police arrest 118 suspected cultists, 60 others for kidnapping.

The police command in Plateau has arrested 178 suspects over cultist activities, kidnapping, trafficking and unlawful possession of firearms.

The state commissioner of police, Emmanuel Adesina, disclosed this at a news conference on Monday in Jos, the state capital.

Me Adesina said that out of the 178 suspects, 118 were arrested on July 7 for cult activities, being their day of celebration and initiation of new members.

He said the remaining 60 were arrested for other crimes.

The police commissioner said he had held several meetings with stakeholders from troubled areas to ensure peaceful coexistence.

”I have emplaced intensive patrol, raiding of criminal hideouts and visibility policing, which has become the hallmark of my policing strategy employed in recording these recent achievements.

“Based on credible intelligence gathered, I ordered the raiding of an apartment suspected to be a hideout of a cult syndicate. As a result, the command’s Eagle-Eye Patrol Unit (EEPU) arrested these suspects,” he said.

Mr Adesina said those arrested over criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, trafficking and causing grievous hurt, among others, were nabbed in the last month.

He further stated that all the suspects were currently under investigation, after which they would be charged to court.

(NAN)