The operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested seven suspected cultists and recovered arms and ammunition from them.
The arrested suspects who are cooling their heels in police custody at present are Wisdom Obiora, 22, Eke Charles, 20, Joseph Akachukwu, 24, Ohaegbulam Bright, 25, and Ugorji Onyekachi, 19.
Others are David Obinna and Ebuka Mba, both 22 years old,. They were nabbed near the front gate of Imo State University, IMSU Owerri.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO ASP Henry Okoye, the first five suspects confessed their affiliation with the New Black Movement of Africa.
ASP Okoye said the suspects also disclosed that they were coerced into joining the cult group.
The PPRO further disclosed that on Sunday, October 6, 2024, the Commissioner of Police’s Surveillance Squad, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected cultists' hideout in Irete Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state and arrested the five suspects who were actively engaged in initiation rituals.
Okoye added that at the scene of the arrest, the police operatives recovered a locally fabricated shotgun, three rounds of live cartridges, one expanded cartridge, suspected Cannabis Sativa, and a dagger.
Similarly , operatives from the Orji Divisional Headquarters on Monday, October 7, 2024 apprehended two additional suspected cultists, David Obinna and Ebuka Mba, both 22 years old, near the front gate of Imo State University, IMSU Owerri.
ASP Okoye said during the operation, one locally made pistol, two rounds of live cartridges, and weeds suspected to be Cannabis Sativa were recovered from the suspects.
He said upon interrogation, the suspects admitted to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to apprehend and prosecute the manufacturers and distributors of the locally made firearms.
The Command assured the public that thorough investigations are ongoing, and those apprehended will face prosecution upon the completion of credible inquiries.
The Command also urged parents and guardians to always scrutinize their wards and be able to nip in bud any obnoxious change in behavior and stop them from keeping bad company.
The command restated its unwavering commitment to curbing crimes and criminality in the state.
Residents of Owerri especially those residing within the precincts of Imo State University IMSU Owerri were alarmed on Monday, October 7, 2024 when staccato of gunshots rent the air around the university vicinity.
Unconfirmed report said cultists shot dead three final year students of the university during an operation.
