Tunji Adedeji
The Imo State Police Command, on Wednesday paraded 5 suspected cultists, arrested in connection to recent cult war which claimed 3 lives around Old road Nekede, Owerri West LGA, Imo State.
While parading the suspects yesterday at the Imo State Police Command Headquarters Owerri, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ikeokwu Orlando , said Five young men between the ages of 18 and 25 were arrested on February January 17, 2019, at Legacy hotel Ihiagwa in Owerri West LGA.
The men, Martins Iwuagwu aged 28 ,Obinna Ojike 25 years and Chibueze Kalu 18years , David Ogbonna 22years,Oparaugo Joseph Onyebuchi 21 years were accused of being in possession of 2 Beretta pistols ,1 locally made pistols 2 .9mm live ammunition and one live cartridge and Sharp kitchen knives men arrested by policemen .
Orlando, who mentions the name of the rival cult groups, said the singular incidence before police intervention had sent fears within people living in Nekede and its environs. He said the gangs had been fighting themselves for some time and normalcy had returned to the area.
According to him, “on 14 March, 2019 along Nekede road, two persons were shot dead .Acting on intelligence report, operatives of Anti- cultism unit of the command swung into action on receipt of the report and raided the hide-out of the hoodlums where the above listed suspects were arrested and the exhibits recovered from them.”
He said operatives of Anti-cultism unit of the command raided a number of suspected secret group hide-out where a number of suspects were arrested. On interrogation, the above named suspects confessed to belong to Black Axe Secret Confraternity that orchestrated the gruesome murder.
He further disclosed that Investigation is ongoing while efforts are on top gear to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, stressing that suspects have made useful statements to the police admitting to be member’s of secret cults.
