Enugu State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against cultism with the arrest of six suspects accused of forcefully initiating victims into a secret cult group in Enugu metropolis.
The suspects were apprehended in a forest around Ugwu Peak, Iva Valley community, in Enugu North Local Government Area, following what the police described as credible intelligence.
Confirming the development in a statement issued on Saturday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad carried out the operation on December 5.
According to him, the suspects were arrested over an alleged incident that occurred on November 25 in Iva Valley community, where victims were reportedly forced into the Supreme Vikings Confraternity.
Ndukwe disclosed that dangerous weapons and items linked to the initiation were recovered during the operation. “One locally made double-barrel pistol and four cutlasses used for their criminal activities, and two empty bottles of Squadron rum used for the initiation, were recovered from the suspects,” he stated.
He added that the six male suspects, aged between 20 and 30 years, allegedly admitted to being members of a secret cult and confessed to their roles in the crime.
“The suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” Ndukwe said.
Reacting to the arrest, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Mamman Giwa, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to rid Enugu of criminal elements and ensure public safety, particularly during the festive season.
Ndukwe noted that the commissioner urged residents to remain law-abiding and vigilant, stressing the importance of public cooperation with the police. He also called on members of the public to promptly report suspicious movements and criminal activities to security agencies.
The police assured residents that efforts to clamp down on cult-related crimes and other forms of criminality across the state would be sustained.
