The Nation Newspaper

Tag: suspected cultists

  • Police arrest 10 suspected cultists in Ojo

    The police have arrested nine suspected cultists said to be terrorising Amukoko in Ojo, Lagos.

    One of them, Chidubem Nwachukwu, 27, was arrested on April 8, around 9:45pm.

    It was gathered that Nwachukwu, a resident of 7, Ago Street, Ikotun, was seen on Fagbemi Street, Amukoko and was intercepted after policemen said he was suspicious.

    Upon searching the suspect, the police discovered a locally-made revolver pistol and one unexpended cartridge.

    Lagos Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal said the case was transferred to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Ikeja, where the suspect confessed to being a member of the Vikings cult group.

    “He led detectives to arrest his fellow cult members namely: Uche Obesike, Chinedu Nnaeke,  Chinonso Okoro, Abubakar Okoye,  Uche Ndigwe, Chinonso Ojukwu, Ekenne Okonkwo, Chidebere Egwu and Izuchukwu Iloabanafor.

    “Detectives recovered a locally made revolver pistol, a locally made single barrel gun, unexpended 7mm ammunition, one battle axe and a Vikings’ beret with logo. Suspects would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.”

    Another suspect, Saula Toaheed,  denied being a cultist, claiming that he was arrested without cause.

    Toaheed said he was going to buy noodles with his brother when they were whisked into the bus the policemen brought.

    “Around 10:30pm on April 5, my brother and I were going to eat noodles at Isheri, when a bus suddenly parked beside us. A policewoman and a policeman came down. The woman approached us calmly and asked us to enter the bus.

    “After we entered the bus, they started picking some people along the road and moved us to the station. We were not told what our offence was. They just took us to the station. We do not even know those other people. We slept in the cell till the next day and up to this moment. They later drove us down to Isheri Area ‘M’. The police took all the sledge hammers and diggers inside the bus. They brought the hammers from their station; they just want to put false allegations on us.”

  • Police parade suspected cultists, robbers, car snatchers

    Abia State Police Command has paraded suspected cultists, robbers and car snatchers.

    Police Commissioner Anthony Ogbizi told reporters that the suspects were arrested in parts of the state.

    He said others were nabbed on the crime scene.

    Leader of Black Axe Confraternity Princewill Okechukwu, a final-year student at Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, was among the suspects.

    He said the suspects would be arraigned.

    A suspected female cultist, who is also a final-year student from ABSU, Chika Ogwalachi, confessed that she was arrested in the vicinity of an initiation in a student lodge, near the campus.

    Ogwalachi, 22, who was paraded with two suspected male cultists, said her boyfriend asked her to wait for him at the venue.

    She said while waiting for him, one of the boys gave her a parcel, which her boyfriend asked her to collect and keep for him.

    Ogwalachi claimed she didn’t know the parcel contained Indian hemp.

    She denied knowing that her boyfriend was a cultist.

    “We just met recently. While I was waiting for him, the police arrived and asked me what I was doing there. I told them I was waiting for my boyfriend. They seized my bag, searched it and found the parcel. They unwrapped it and discovered it was Indian hemp. That was how I was arrested,” Ogwalachi said.

    A 23-year-old final-year student, Salvation Chialu, was also paraded.

    He confessed that he was arrested during initiation.  Chialu said other cultists escaped.

    The suspect, an indigene of Awkuzu in Anambra State, said he was lured into cultism by supposed friends.

    He said: “I bought items for them to keep them at bay, but three days after my exams, as I was packing my clothes, they came into my room and ordered me to follow them.

    “I followed them because of their fierce look. Before then, I hesitated and they attacked me with a machete.”

    Okechukwu told reporters that he was arrested in the exam hall.  He admitted that he was the leader of the cult for only two weeks, alleging that those opposed to his leadership masterminded his arrest.

    Okechukwu said he was aware that the items recovered from his room were weapons, used for cult activities.

    The suspect, from Isuikwuato Local Government of Abia State, confessed that seven live cartridges, dagger, machete,  Black Axe Confraternity bag and red uniform were recovered from him.

    Also paraded was Uchenna Okorocha.

    He said he was arrested when the police searched his home in Aba, following a report by his master’s brother.

    The suspect confessed that he spent his master’s money on MMM Pyramid Scheme and other gambling.

    He said when he could not give proper account of how he spent the money; his master’s brother invited the police to arrest him.

     

     

  • Abia: Police parades cultists, armed robbers

    Abia State Police Command on Monday in Umuahia, Abia State capital paraded suspected cultists, armed robbers and others accused to be involved in snatching cars of their victims at gun points.

    The State Police Commissioner, Anthony Ogbizi told journalists that the suspects were arrested in different parts of the state through intelligence report, while others were arrested at the scene of the crime.

    Leader (Capo) of the Black Axe confraternity, Princewill Okechukwu, a final year student of Political Science in ABSU was also among the people that were paraded by the Police Commissioner.

    The Police Commissioner added that the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation was concluded.

    A female cultist and final year student of Political Science at Abia State University, ABSU, Uturu, 22 year old Chika Ogwalachi reportedly confessed that she was arrested in the vicinity of an initiation exercise in one of the student lodges off the campus by a cult group.

    Ogwalachi who was paraded with two other male members of the same fraternity said her boyfriend who also is a cult member had asked her to wait for him at the scene of the initiation before her arrest.

    She further explained that while waiting for her boyfriend, one of the boys gave her a parcel which the boyfriend reportedly asked her to collect and keep for him.

    According to her, she didn’t know that the parcel contained Indian hemp. This is even as she denied having knowledge that the boyfriend was a cult member.

    “We just met recently and he promised that because of me he will leave the cult. It was while I was waiting that the police came out and asked what I was doing there.

    “I told them that I was waiting for my boyfriend. They seized my bag, searched it and found the parcel. They unwrapped it and saw it was hemp. That was how they arrested me,” she said.

    Also paraded was 23 year old final year student of History and International Relations, Salvation Chialu. He confessed that he was arrested during initiation. He said that while the other older cult members escaped he was caught by the police.

    Chialu, a native of Awkuzu, Anambra State said he was tricked into cult by people who came to him as friends. “I was buying something for them to keep them at bay but three days after my exam as I was packing my clothes, they came into my room and ordered me to follow them.

    “When I saw the fierce look on the face of one of them I hesitated then he used a machete and cut my hand.” He however failed to connect the attack with the initiation angle.

    Okechukwu told newsmen that he was arrested in the exam hall while writing his final examination.

    He admitted that he was the leader for only two weeks but that those opposed to his emergence as the new leader planned his arrest.

    He said he was aware that the items recovered from his room were dangerous weapons which they use for cult activities.

    Okechukwu, from Isuikwuato council area of Abia state, admitted that seven live cartridges, a dagger, a machete and Black Axe black and red uniform were recovered from him.

    Also paraded was Uchenna Okorocha. Okorocha who said that he was arrested when the police searched his house in Aba following the report of his master’s brother.

    Okorocha  said he spent his masters money on MMM and other gambling engagements but when he could not give proper account of pay back after stock taking his masters brother invited the police to arrest him with the aim of recovering the money.

     

  • Suspected cultists demand N35,000 in exchange for peace

    Suspected cultists have written a family in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, demanding N35,000 in exchange for peace.

    The Nation learnt that the family living at Austin Dressman Street, known as Gamac Road, Edepie, panicked following the threat.

    A source close to the family said the cultists were blunt, threatening to attack the family if they were not given the money.

    He said the suspected cultists claimed that the money was part of the family’s share of the expenses for a party they were planning.

    He said: “When the family ignored their first letter, another was delivered today to remind them and buttress the level of seriousness of the gang.

    “We are calling on the Bayelsa State government and security agencies to swing into action, protect this family and bring those miscreants threatening their lives to book.

    “This family is just a test run of a new and dangerous dimension to cultism in Bayelsa that must be nipped in the bud.

    “If they succeed in extorting money from this family, they will be confident to extend it to the entire Yenagoa and Bayelsa, thereby holding the state and its citizens hostage.”

  • Suspected cultists remanded in prison for allegedly smashing teenager’s head

    Two suspected cultists,  Sikiru Ajibade and Gafar Isah, who allegedly smashed the head of a teenager, have been remanded in Kirikiri Prisons on the orders of an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Ajibade, 34, a.k.a. Farakin and Isah,25, a.k.a. Eti, who allegedly belong to O-Strong and Ijikenji Confraternity, were brought before the court on a charge of murder.

    Their pleas were not taken by the magistrate, who said the court lacked the jurisdiction to try murder case.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr M.O. Olajuwon, said the accused should be kept behind bars pending  advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Earlier, the police prosecutor, Inspector Babatope Julius, told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in October 2016 on Lagos Island.

    He alleged that the accused, suspected cultists had unlawfully killed a 19-year-old, Charles Igbinovia, by smashing his head with a stone.

    The offence violates Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The case has adjourned until Feb. 28 pending the DPP’s advice

  • Suspected cultists kill another EKSU student

    •Varsity authority launches Operation No To Cultism

    Suspected cultists have reportedly killed another student of Ekiti State University (EKSU), one week after a similar incident rocked the institution.

    The latest victim, Temilade Ayodele, was reportedly attacked at 10 p.m on Sunday by suspected cultists.

    He was reportedly hacked to death in a suspicious circumstance.

    Ayodele’s head and hands were severed by his assailants and the body was discovered by fellow students.

    Apart from the severed head and hands, other parts of the body reportedly had machete cuts.

    The university was thrown into mourning last week when a student, Ojo Segun, was killed on October 23 by suspected cultists.

    Segun was said to have been attacked at a saloon outside the campus where he was a hair stylist.

    Police spokesperson Alberto Adeyemi, a Superintendent of Police (SP), who confirmed the killing, said the command had begun investigation into the incident.

    He added that the butchered body of the victim had been deposited at a mortuary.

    Adeyemi said: “His name was given as Ayodele Temilade but we don’t know his course or level for now. We are treating the issue as a murder case until investigation is completed.”

    To tackle the upsurge in cult attacks, the management of the university has launched Operation No Cultism in EKSU.

    A statement by Acting Director of Information and Corporate Affairs, Ajibade Olubunmi, said the decision was taken yesterday at an emergency security meeting presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Bandele.

    It reads: “To this effect, the management has directed constant patrol on campus and off campus hostel areas by security officials.

    “All suspected cultists will be rounded up, investigated and dealt with according to the university’s extant rules and regulations as well as prosecuted in the law courts.

    “Prof Bandele further directed that names of suspected cultists in the university would be compiled for necessary action.

    “He vowed to leave no stone unturned until all the unscrupulous elements are chased out of EKSU, adding that the university would no longer be home to cultists and nefarious activities by any group.

    “Prof Bandele noted that efforts were on to involve indigenes of Iworoko and adjoining communities in the operation to flush out suspected cultists from their hideouts.

    “The vice chancellor assured (the university community) that tight security would be provided for all workers and students on campus.”

     

  • Police arrest eight suspected cultists

    Abia State Police Command said yesterday it arrested eight suspected members of two cults operating in Aba and Isiala Ngwa North councils.

    Police Commissioner Oyebade Adeleye, in an interactive session with reporters in Aba, said the suspects confessed to be members of Vikings and ABC cults, notorious on Isiala Ngwa axis.

    Oyebade named the cultists as Prince Nwachukwu, Nnamdi Raymond, Okoronkwo Chikezie and Uchenna Kalu, who are members of Vikings; while David Adieze, Chinemere Isaac, Chimezie Moses Francis and Okon Effiong were identified as members of ABC.

    He said they recovered two locally-made revolver pistols, two rounds of live ammunition, charms, among others, from the cultists when policemen at Ndiegoro and detectives attached to Isiala Ngwa North Division swooped on them.

    The police boss said efforts were on to arrest fleeing cultists, hoping with the success, crimes would reduce.

    “Mighty Monday of Ohanku Road, Aba, reported at Ndiegoro Police Station, Aba that he was robbed of his Nokia phone, valued at N5,500 sandal, valued at N8,000 and N2,000 by four armed men. Based on the report, detectives attached to Ndiegoro Police Station arrested Prince Nwachukwu identified by the complainant and he (Nwachukwu) led the detectives to a hideout at Umuba village, Ogbor Hill where Nnamdi Raymond, Okoronkwo Chikezie and Uchenna Kalu were nabbed. The suspects confessed to be members of Vikings.

    ”A locally-made pistol and other stolen items were recovered from the hideout of Sampson Ukeji, now on the run. Efforts are on to arrest the suspect.”

  • NUJ announces reward for information on killers of NTA reporter

    NUJ announces reward for information on killers of NTA reporter

    The Edo State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has announced financial reward for anybody that could provide useful information that would lead to the arrest of the killers of a reporter with the Nigeria Television Authority, Mr. Lawrence Okojie.

    Late Okojie was killed on July 8 by suspected cultists while he was returning from work at about9pm.

    His corpse was found deposited at the morgue by the police who said it was cult related killing.

    Edo State Chairman of NUJ, Mr. Roland Osakue, announced the financial reward at the lying-in-state of the remains of Okojie at the premises of NUJ secretariat.

    Mr. Osakue called on security agencies to ensure adequate protection of lives especially journalists in the state.

    He challenged the police to unravel the killers of Okojie whom he described as a dedicated and hardworking journalist.

    The remains of late Okojie was later taken to his hometown, Olihin Uzea in Esan North East local government for internment.

    When contacted for comments, State Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, said the killer of late Okojie has been arrested and currently cooling his heels in prison.

    Gwandu said he received commendation for bursting the crime.

    He said increased police patrol prevented cultists in the state from carrying out deadly attacks on July 7 and August 8.

    Those two dates, according to him, were days to celebrate founder’s day for some cult groups.

    He said, “We arrested many of them in their regalia. Those into cultism did not have the chance to kill themselves. We were able to foil their operations and arrested many of them.”

  • Suspected cultists kill one in Ondo

    Suspected cultists have allegedly killed a 24-year-old man, Peter Sunday (aka Marvin), in Ondo town.
    He was said to have just completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Edo State.
    An eyewitness said the victim was shot dead around 8p.m. on Monday at Oke-segun by gunmen.
    The incident, which caused confusion, was said to be a reprisal.
    Policemen from the Anti-crime Section of Yaba Division reportedly took the body to a mortuary.
    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mrs. Regina Mogbojuri, was not around, but a senior police officer confirmed the incident. He said 14 persons had been arrested, adding that a report was sent to the police command in Akure.

  • Cultists kill 26-year-old in Bayelsa

    Cultists kill 26-year-old in Bayelsa

    Suspected cultists have gunned down a victim identified as Jackson Olali, 26, along Tombia Road, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    The gunmen were said to have shot their victim at about 10:30pm on Saturday creating panic at a junction close to a popular hotel in the area.

    Family sources, who described the victim as a peace-loving man, said Olali was on his way to charge his mobile phone following power when the incident occurred.

    “We saw some armed young boys invade the place where the deceased was charging his mobile phone.And there was argument. One of the armed men came from behind and shot him in the head”, a source, who spoke in confidence said.

    Also, a 26-year-old girl identified as Debora Eteh was attacked with acid along Tombia road by a suspected jealous lover identified as Suoyonye Harry

    A source, who spoke in confidence said: “We learnt that they were both lovers and had a major disagreement. The victim was said to have pulled out of the relationship and relocated to the Bayelsa state capital.”

    “The suspect Suotonye Harry traced his victim from Port Harcourt down to yenagoa, before perfecting the evil act by bathing is victim Deborah Eteh with substance suspected to be acid.‎”

    But residents in the area were said to have apprehended the suspect and handed him over to the Akenfa Police station and took the victim to the Federal Medical Centre.

    Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim Butswat said he was yet to be fully briefed on the incidents.