36 suspected cultists nabbed in Imo

IN its bid to curb the activities of cultists in Imo State, the state police command has arrested 39 suspected cultists in various parts of the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Taiwo Lakanu, who paraded the suspects before newsmen at the premises of the state police command in Owerri last weekend, explained that the feat was accomplished as a result of the information made available to operatives of the command.

According to Lakanu, considering the spate of cultism in the state and intelligence report gathered through credible sources that some notorious cultists were planning to hold initiation party for new members within the Nekede area of Owerri, a tactically-coordinated operation was carried out by men of the state police command on August 24.

The police commissioner listed notable flashpoints within Nekede and its environs as Megabyte Lodge Umuokoto, popularly known as South Africa; Shrine Tree Square and Pentagon Bar Umuofochia, stating that all the places were being manned and coordinated by operatives of the command.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects included three talking drums of different sizes, sachet of salt, berets, emblems and kegs of palm wine, while Lakanu said that they all had made useful statements confessing their membership to the Aye confraternity.

He appealed to parents and guardians to monitor the conduct of their children, adding that thorough investigations had commenced with a view to charging the suspects to court.