The Cross River Police command has arrested 42 suspected cultists on Sunday, May 24 on the very act of cult initiation at Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River state.
According to the report from Vanguard newspaper, the suspected cultists were nabbed by the Nigerian Navy Victory Ship (NNSV) and handed over to the state government for further investigation and prosecution.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday in Calabar, the Commander of NNVS, Rear Admiral Vincent Okeke, said the suspects were apprehended through an intelligence report by concerned persons.
Okeke, who was represented by Captain Ibrahim Gwaska, said the ‘whistleblowers’ tipped off the navy personnel that the suspects were gathered in Akpabuyo LGA for initiation and other nefarious activities.
According to him, intelligence gathering revealed that it was evidently clear that there was going to be a clash between the Klans and Black Axe confraternities.
He said: “We are here to do a routine handover of 42 suspects to the Cross River Government representative.
“In a swift move, the base responded through a tip-off and cordoned the area in Akpabuyo. In that raid, we arrested 61 suspected cultists.
“On arrival, preliminary investigations were being conducted and, having concluded the investigation, 42 out of the arrested 61 persons were confirmed to be cultists accordingly.
“It is on this regard that we will be handing over the suspects to the state government and officials of the Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Unit for onward investigation and prosecution,” he said.
