JSF arrested suspected cultists groomed for election violence in Anambra, police say
The Joint Security Force (JSF) in Anambra has arrested seven suspected cultists allegedly being groomed for violence in the November 8 governorship election in the state.
The state police public relations officer, 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 November 8 governorship election, operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS) Enugu-Ukwu, in collaboration with Agunechemba Vigilance Operatives, in the early hours of October 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.
Mr Ikenga said one 25-litre keg containing a 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 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.
According to Mr 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 state commissioner of police, Ikioye Orutugu, as saying the command would not tolerate activities that threatened peace in the state, especially in the build-up to the governorship election.
Mr 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 to help prevent crime and apprehend criminal elements in the state.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Kano architects demand strict enforcement of building regulations
Disturbed by recurring cases of building collapses, the Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects has called for strict enforcement of building regulations.
States
Flooding: NEMA, KADSEMA search for missing persons in Kaduna River
NEMA and KADSEMA have launched a search-and-rescue operation for two persons swept away by floodwaters in the Kaduna River.
States
Police rescue 15 cows, one Katsina resident from bandits
The police command in Katsina says it has foiled kidnap and cattle rustling attempts in Funtua and Musawa council areas, rescuing one kidnap victim and recovering 15 rustled cows.
Agriculture
Farmers seek subsidised farm inputs to boost food production in Taraba
The farmers said the high cost and limited availability of fertilisers and other essential farm inputs had become major constraints as the rainy season commenced.
Politics
Kaduna: 12,000 people defect to APC in Lere LG
Twelve thousand members of opposition political parties have defected to the All Progressives Congress in the Lere council area of Kaduna.
Anti-Corruption
LS Cable & System USA agrees to pay $4 million to resolve PPP loan fraud allegations
LS Cable & System USA has agreed to pay $4 million to the United States to resolve allegations of false claims for payments under the Paycheck Protection Programme loans.
