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Tag: cultists

  • Cultist kill eight, behead four in Rivers  

    Cultist kill eight, behead four in Rivers  

    No fewer than eight people have been gunned down in Ibaa community in Emohua Local Government Area in Rivers State on Friday.

    It was gathered that four of the victims were beheaded and their decapitated heads taken away by the rampaging cultists.

    Mr. Chimdu Emenike, a resident of the community who told our correspondent that he was speaking from his hideout, noted that the cultists invaded the community in reprisal attack.

    He said that Deygbam cultists visited the community around 3 a.m, to avenge the death of their member who was killed by the Icelanders, last month.

    Emenike said, “Some cultists invaded the community and have killed over eight people. They killed and beheaded four people. The whole people are living in fear, but the killers were shouting in the night that we should not run that they know the people they are looking for.”

    “We are calling on the state government and security operatives in the state to send security personnel and restore peace in the troubled community.

    Every effort made to reach the Community development Committee Chairman (CDC) Ibaa, proved abortive as his contact were not reachable at press time.

    Hon. Lucky Worluh, the elected All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairman of the Local government who was sacked by Governor Nyesom Wike, said two days before the recent incident there was open shooting in the area.

    He said cultists have taken over Emohua Local government area, alleging that the present administration has not been give security allocation to the LGA caretaker committee chairmen in the state.

    Worluh said: All we need now is immediate security mobilization of the area, the people are living in fear and the government is not doing anything to assist the people. The area is poorly underdeveloped and he is yet to show any concern.

    “Those given amnesty should be empowered and settled you cannot claim to have given somebody amnesty without empowering the person. Wike should empower the boys.”

    However, the Public Relations Officers of the Rivers State Police Command, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, noted that personnel of the command have been drafted to the community to restore normalcy.

    Omoni confirmed that it was cult reprisal that led to the killings, adding that number of casualties in the incident had not been ascertained.

    Omoni said, “Cultists invaded the community today and killed some people believed to be rival cultists in reprisal. It is a cult related incident. The police are aware of it. The Commissioner of Police in the state has mobilized personnel to the community to restore peace and smock out the perpetrators of the act.”

     

  • Cultists in the force to be exposed, says Ondo police chief

    The Ondo State Police Command says it is ready to expose officers suspected to be members of cult groups and those who collude with criminals to perpetrate evil.

    Police Commissioner HIlda Ibifuro-Harrison spoke yesterday at a security summit organised by Akoko Youths in Ikare-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko Northeast Local Government Area.

    The police chief, who was represented by the command’s spokesman Femi Joseph, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said police alone cannot fight crime without support from the public.

    Ibifuro-Harrison said investigations had begun into the alleged involvement of some officers in criminal activities.

    The police chief promised that any officer found wanting would be punished.

    Akoko Youths National President Babatunde Momoh urged the police to establish an area command in Akoko Division.

    This, he said, had become necessary because of the increasing cases of kidnapping and robbery in the area.

    The youth leader blamed security challenges, particularly in Akoko area, on poor road network.

    He called for effective community policing to check the trend.

    Momoh hailed the founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet Temitope Joshua, an Indigene of Arigidi-Akoko, for donating patrol vans to the police for effective policing of the area.

    The Caretaker Chairman of Akoko South West Local Government Area, Oloruntogbe Augustine, urged youths to expose those behind high profile kidnappings in the area.

    Akokoland, which has four local government areas, has witnessed high profile kidnappings in recent times, including that of a traditional ruler in April.

  • Cultists in the force to be exposed, says Ondo police chief

    The Ondo State Police Command says it is ready to expose officers suspected to be members of cult groups and those who collude with criminals to perpetrate evil.

    Police Commissioner HIlda Ibifuro-Harrison spoke yesterday at a security summit organised by Akoko Youths in Ikare-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko Northeast Local Government Area.

    The police chief, who was represented by the command’s spokesman Femi Joseph, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said police alone cannot fight crime without support from the public.

    Ibifuro-Harrison said investigations had begun into the alleged involvement of some officers in criminal activities.

    The police chief promised that any officer found wanting would be punished.

    Akoko Youths National President Babatunde Momoh urged the police to establish an area command in Akoko Division.

    This, he said, had become necessary because of the increasing cases of kidnapping and robbery in the area.

    The youth leader blamed security challenges, particularly in Akoko area, on poor road network.

    He called for effective community policing to check the trend.

    Momoh hailed the founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet Temitope Joshua, an Indigene of Arigidi-Akoko, for donating patrol vans to the police for effective policing of the area.

    The Caretaker Chairman of Akoko South West Local Government Area, Oloruntogbe Augustine, urged youths to expose those behind high profile kidnappings in the area.

    Akokoland, which has four local government areas, has witnessed high profile kidnappings in recent times, including that of a traditional ruler in April.

  • Fear as cultists

    A group of cultists have allegedly unleashed terror on residents of Pakuro area of Ofada in the Obafemi Owode Local Government in Ogun State Panic residents said the daredevil boys had stormed the community during the general elections held in 2015 and have refused to stop their reign of terror. A cross section of concerned residents who spoke with The Nation said the crisis heightened

  • Army warns cultists in Rivers

    Army warns cultists in Rivers

    The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, has warned cultists terrorising some Rivers communities to desist forthwith, or face the wrath of the law.

    Col. Aminu Iliyasu, the Spokesman for the division, said the warning was part of a nine-point communiqué issued at the end of a stakeholders meeting in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    He said the stakeholders resolved that all leaders and notable members of cult groups terrorising Ozochi community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers should be arrested and prosecuted as soon as possible.

    The stakeholders also resolved that known cultist camps and bunkering sites at Udoda-Engene Forest should be located and destroyed, he said.

    He said that community leaders and all peace-loving citizens of the affected areas were enjoined to support security agencies through the provision of credible and timely intelligence.

    Furthermore, the meeting assured all informants of their security and confidentiality, he said.

    Iliyasu said that traditional rulers and elders of communities were enjoined to redouble efforts to enthrone peace in their respective communities.

    He advocated for the establishment of a vigilante group comprising youths from the various communities to work with security agencies to tackle criminality in the communities.

    The stakeholders agreed to hold regular meetings to assess progress of ongoing peace efforts in the area.

    “The Rivers Government was advised to extend fresh amnesty to militants and cult groups in the affected areas in order to achieve the much desired peace.

    “A special reconciliation meeting should be hosted by the Rivers Government at the instance of the Special Adviser on Conflict Resolution for peace in Ahoada East,” Iliyasu said

     

  • Abia police parade suspected robbers, cultists

    Abia police parade suspected robbers, cultists

    The efforts of the police and other security agencies in Abia State have led to the arrest of suspected criminals, the rescue of kidnap victims as well as the recovery of stolen items in the state.

    Abia State Commissioner of Police Adeleye Oyebade paraded some suspects at the state command headquarters in Umuahia, the state capital, saying that the suspects were those nabbed in June and July. Oyebade attributed the arrests to intelligence gathering and prompt information to the police by members of the public about the activities of hoodlums in their neighbourhoods.

    Oyebade hailed his officers for being alive to their duties, saying that they were not going to rest on their oars but remain more committed and resolute in combating crime in the state.

    He urged his men to be professional and do their work with the fear of God.

    Oyebade explained that the stop and search operation in Aba and other parts of the state is not to extort money from road users, but to checkmate activities of hoodlums. He added that any policeman found wanting will face the music.

    Giving a breakdown of the command’s activity in June and July, Oyebade said “On 01/07/2017 at about 1200hrs, sequel to information received on the missing of one Peter Alaebuonu Eseonu, a tricycle operator, 67 years ‘m’ of Ekenaobizi Umuopara Umuahia on 27/06/2017, detectives attached to Central Police Station, Umuahia swooped on one Chinonso David Ibekwe, 25 years ‘m’ of Ndiotu Ntalakwu, Bende LGA. The suspect, a 200 level Computer Science student of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State gave a lead towards the recovery of the decomposing body of the said Peter Alaebuonu Eseonu in a ditch at Amuzukwu Umuahia. He has however, confessed to the crime while the decomposing body of the deceased has been deposited in the morgue for preservation and autopsy. The suspect has been charged to court and remanded in prison custody.

    “On 09/07/2017 at about 1100hrs, information was received that someone was shot dead along Obohia road Aba. Sequel to this, a patrol team attached to Ndiegoro Division on routine patrol rushed to the scene at No. 22 Obohia road Aba where the deceased was met in a pool of her own blood. The Divisional Police Officer, Ndiegoro mobilized other patrol teams and proceeded to the scene where one Ogbonnaya Igwe ‘m’ of 22 Obohia road was arrested in his hide-out at the ceiling of the house. One Pump-Action rifle and double barrel gun with 15 live cartridges and four expended cartridges were recovered from the suspect and at the scene respectively. Corpse of the deceased later identified as Ijeoma Chibuzo was deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.

    The police released more information on the arrest of several other suspected hoodlums and the recovery of stolen items.

  • Eight feared dead as ‘cultists’ storm community

    Eight persons were feared dead yesterday in Oduoha in  Emohua Local Government of Rivers State after an invasion by suspected cultists.

     A source in the community said a victim was beheaded. It was gathered the suspects, believed to be members of Icelanders, invaded the community in a reprisal attack.

     Police spokesman DSP Nnamdi Omoni confirmed the development, adding that the police have mobilised to the area.

     Omoni said: “We are aware of the incident at Oduoha community. It is a cult-related attack. A chief from the community called in the early hours of Thursday to inform the police.

     “The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Zaki, made immediate deployment of our men in the area. We have evacuated the bodies to the mortuary. Some of our vehicles have been stationed there to ensure that no reprisal takes place. No arrest has been made but our men are combing all the bushes in the area to ensure that we get the culprits.”

    The source noted that the killers broke into the homes of their rivals. One of the victims was identified as Chivite  Onu.

     The Nation learnt some residents have fled their homes; those who are home remained indoors.

     Sources alleged that the cultists are still parading the community with arms.

    A resident,  Jona Obodo, said: “We were sleeping last night; suddenly, we started hearing gunshots. The shooting was so heavy that some people ran out of their houses. They were shooting and breaking into houses. Most of the people they killed are believed to be members of the Deygbam cult.”

  • Kwara police parade 11 suspected cultists

    The Kwara State Police Command yesterday paraded eleven suspected cultists in Ilorin, the state capital.

    Commissioner of Police Lawan Ado said their arrest followed intelligence reports.

    According to him, three of the suspects, who confessed to be members of the Eiye confraternity, were arrested at Akpata Yakuba, and a locally-made pistol was recovered from them.

    Ado said four others, who also confessed to be members of Eiye Confraternity, had been terrorising students of the University of Ilorin, and residents.

    Another three arrested at flash points in Tanke confessed to be active members of Aiye Confraternity, and were responsible for crimes, including homicide and robbery, under investigation.

    The police boss hinted that the command is on the trail of an ex-convict, who led his gang to operate recently. He said while the ex-convict escaped, three of his gang members were arrested- a Honda Civic car, a laptop and two mobile phones were recovered from them.

    He added that an investigative team from the force headquarters in Abuja had been deployed to assist in the investigation into the murder of a businesswoman, Alhaja Rashidat, at Kulende area of the town.

    The police in Kano State yesterday paraded 13 members of a robbery syndicate, allegedly led by 30-year-old Yusuf Umar.

    The suspects were caught during an operation at Tokarawa Village, Gerzawa Local Government.

    Spokesman Magaji Musa Majiya said their arrest followed a distress call, saying the command’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) responded by swooping on the robbers, and arrested Umar, who was clad in military camouflage, alongside 33-year-old Amadu Mohammed.

    Majiya said one locally-made assault rifle; a revolver pistol; four rounds of live ammunitions; a set of military uniform; one cutlass and two motorcycles and a Golf 3 (AX571 KMC), were recovered from their hideout.

    According to Majiya, the suspects confessed to belonging to a six-man syndicate, who have been terrorising the people.

    He added that Murtala Adamu of Aujarawar Alkali village, an auto-mechanic, was also arrested. He gives information about potential victims to the suspects.

    Majiya added that another syndicate was burst at Hotoro quarters, and a Sienna car, snatched at gun point, was recovered. The car has been returned to its rightful owner.

  • Cultists on the rampage in Ijoko

    CULTISTS in Ijoko, a town in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, have started unleashing terror on the people of the locality.

    The anti-social elements belong to Aaye and Eye, the secret societies in fierce rivalry for supremacy.

    They began to perpetrate atrocities from the beginning of this year in retaliation for the killing and maltreatment of their members.

    Almost every week, they go on the rampage maiming, killing and raping without being caught.

    As a result of the serious crisis, people in the town live in fear, a situation disrupting social activities which were responsible for the bubbling nature of the area before.

    Recently, a man was shot dead at a petrol station and the dreadful killing resulted in a stampede in which many sustained injuries.

    Another man was some days ago clubbed to death on the Ijoko-Agbado road. His hands were cut off and taken away, a sign indicating the group responsible for the killing.

    These deaths are just two examples of many dastardly killings, putting many families in pains and sorrow.

    A community leader, who refused to give his name, and others attributed the ongoing nefarious activities to the bitter and senseless rivalry between the two cults and implored the local, state and federal governments to swing into action in order to bring peace and life back to the community which was once an idyllic place.

    An old man, who also declined to give his name, accused the police and leaders of the community of not making adequate efforts to solve the problem of cultism in the area.

    He said: “The police and our leaders know these people, committing illegalities in our town. They move about freely. This is wrong. Something must be urgently done to put a stop to this madness”.

  • Three suspected cultists, 20 other criminals arrested in Abia

    Three suspected cultists, 20 other criminals arrested in Abia

    OPERATIVES of Abia Police Command have arrested about 23 criminals including three suspected cultists and 20 other criminals. Parading the suspects at the state police command headquarters, the Commissioner of Police(CP) Adeleye Oyebade vowed that his command in the state would ensure that kidnapping and other crimes in the state including armed robbery would be non-profitable ventures in the state. Oyebade said his men have been put on the alert to apprehend criminals and prevent their escape from the state. About six stolen vehicles were also recovered from suspected robbers. Giving the breakdown of the number of suspects, CP Oyebade said: ‘’On 17/06/2017 at about 1900hrs, based on information, men of 55PMF Aba while on intensive stop and search operation at Ihie Nipping point, intercepted a Toyota Corolla car with registration number SMK 543 DB, black in colour suspected to have been stolen or removed from where it was parked.

    The driver and the occupants abandoned the vehicle and took to their heels; a photocopy of the vehicle particulars, original license and a complimentary card bearing the name, Ezekiel Francis of Edo State were recovered during search of the vehicle. The said Ezekiel Francis was contacted through a GSM number on the complimentary card and he confirmed that the vehicle was snatched from him in Edo State. Efforts are on top gear to arrest the fleeing hoodlums. “On 17/06/2017 at about 0930hrs, on information, patrol team attached to Ohuru-Isimiri Division arrested one Chibuike Kingsley ‘m’ and Chinaza Joseph ‘m’, subject were alleged to have robbed one Okonkwo Uchenna ‘m’ of the sum of Six Thousand Naira (N6,000) and one Samsung phone valued N350,000 only along Glass Industry Road Ohuru-Isimiri. “On 17/06/2017 at about 1950hrs, one Chinelo ‘f’ reported at Abayi Division in Aba that she sighted her husband’s Lexus Jeep with registration number EKY 87 AU, black in colour at a car stand.

    Based on the report, operatives attached to Abayi Division swung into action and raced to the car stand which belongs to one Calistus Igbokwe ‘m’ of No. 19 MCC Road Aba. The said vehicle, which was stolen from where it was parked at the residence of the owner on 11/06/2017 at about 2358hrs was recovered. One Toyota Turbo with registration number GGE 988 EH, dark ash in colour whose owner, Eloka Nnamani confirmed was snatched from him on 22/04/2017 in Enugu was also recovered. The suspect was arrested and investigation is in progress to unravel the culprits.’’ He added: “On 17/06/2017 at about 0015hrs, responding to a distress call from Umuada area Aba that robbers were operating in the area, a patrol team attached to Central Police Station in Aba responded promptly and arrested one Chukwuebuka Kelvin Mbahaotu ‘m’ 27 years (exconvict) while escaping from the scene.

    The suspect was arrested with a hand bag containing eight (8) different GSM phones, six (6) ATM cards, one torch-light, various Sim cards, a sum of N7,180.00 cash, one Gucci face cap and other items stolen. He however, confessed to being a one man gang robber operating within the Aba metropolis and all the items have been identified by their various owners. “On 18/06/2017 at about 1800hrs, on a tip off, surveillance team attached to Eastern Ngwa Division arrested one Chibueze Chima ‘m’ of Amaufuru Village Ntighauzo Obingwa L.G.A. The suspect is reported to have been terrorizing the entire Community with his gang members. One cut to size serviceable Double Barrel Gun was recovered from the suspect and he is giving a lead towards the arrest of his gang members. “On 18/06/2017 at about 1605hrs, following a report that one Ejiogu ‘m’ of Umueze Ibeku, Umuahia North LGA of Abia State was abducted by unknown five man armed gang. Detectives attached to Anti- Kidnapping Squad (D7) of SCIID Umuahia led by the Commander swooped on one Orji Uka ‘m’ of Ekoli Edda in Afikpo North LGA of Ebonyi State at the point of collecting a sum of N1m ransom on 21/06/2017 at Nekede/Ihiagwa, Owerri West LGA of Imo State.