Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Following the resent upsurge in cult related gang fights and deaths of youths in various parts of Enugu State, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ahmed Ammani, has issued warnings to the residents about the activities of the criminal elements.
In a statement by the Command’s Public Relation Officer (PRO), Daniel Ndukwe, the Commissioner urged parents, guardians, community and religious leaders in the state to “caution and dissuade their children, wards, or subjects from partaking in secret cultism and other criminal activities.”
According to the PPRO, Supreme Vikings and Black Axe confraternity are some of the cult groups operating across the state.
He said attacks and reprisal attacks by the groups were responsible for the several murders by cult gangs in the state.
Ndukwe said: “Preliminary investigations reveal that some members of Black Axe confraternity, on 29/03/2023 at about 2230 hrs, conspired, shot and injured a member of Supreme Vikings confraternity in the arm, at Emene, Enugu.
“On receipt of the information, members of Supreme Vikings confraternity, in solidarity with their murdered member, conspired and declared war against members of Black Axe confraternity, which has led to counter and counter murderous armed attacks between the secret cult groups in different parts of Enugu metropolis, Agbani and Nsukka areas of the State.
“The investigations further reveal that the attacks have led to the murder of a yet-to-be ascertained number of individuals on different dates and times in the mentioned locations.
“The suspects were arraigned in court and remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Custodial Centre; while frantic operational and investigative efforts are on course to apprehend and bring other perpetrators of the act to book.
“The Commissioner urges parents, guardians, community and religious leaders in the State to caution and dissuade their children, wards, or subjects from partaking in secret cultism and its related criminal activities.”
In view of this he said the CP had ordered complete crack down on all cult related and other criminals activities in the state by the police.