Police Arrest Six Over Alleged Forced Cult Initiation, Recover Firearm In Enugu 

The police in Enugu State have arrested six suspects over their alleged involvement in the forceful initiation of victims into a secret cult group, recovering a firearm and other weapons during the operation.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the police spokesperson in the state, Daniel Ndukwe.

Mr Ndukwe said operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad acted on credible intelligence on December 5, leading to the arrest of the suspects.

According to him, the alleged initiation exercise took place on November 25 in a forest at Ugwu Peak, Iva Valley, within Enugu North Local Government Area.

Items recovered from the suspects include a locally made double-barrelled pistol, four cutlasses and two empty bottles of Squadron rum, which police said were used during the initiation.

The suspects were identified as Edeh Francis Chigbo, also known as Saint (22); Ogbu Fabulous, alias Nwakanwa (23); Odom Chiemerie, alias Coded (28); Nweke Anayo, alias Chaplet (22); Obumneme Obiechina, alias Biggy (30); and Chigozie Ugbene, alias God Bless (20).

Mr Ndukwe said the suspects confessed to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity and admitted their involvement in the alleged crime.

He added that they would be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigations.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has reiterated the command’s resolve to clamp down on cultism and other criminal activities, especially during the yuletide period.

He urged residents to remain law-abiding and vigilant, and to cooperate with the police by promptly reporting suspicious movements and criminal activities.