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Tag: Cultists

  • Misguided Politicians Recruiting Cultists, Ex-convicts to cause trouble – Gov Wike

    Misguided Politicians Recruiting Cultists, Ex-convicts to cause trouble – Gov Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has said the state has obtained intelligence reports that some misguided politicians have started recruiting cultists, ex-convicts and thugs in furtherance of their political aspirations for 2023.

    The governor said the state government is aware that owners of hotels and entertainment centres are in the process of giving out their premises to politicians and political parties as a convenient base for the gathering of these political thugs across the State.

    Governor Wike, in a state broadcast on Sunday, emphasised that the state government is not taking intelligence reports at its disposal lightly, and will therefore not allow any politician, no matter his previous or present position, the chance or opportunity to upset the prevailing peace and security in Rivers State.

    “Similarly, we will not allow any political party, be it the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party or the Social Democratic Party to threaten the safety and security of lives and property during the campaigns with mayhem, thuggery or violence.

    “Accordingly, we have already alerted and set the security agencies on the trail of these misguided politicians and leaders of political parties and stop them in their tracks with the full weight of the law.

    “We also wish to warn owners of hotels and proprietors of relaxation centres to take notice and desist from releasing their facilities for politicians and party leaders to use to meet and plot against the peace, safety and security of our state.”

    The governor warned that the state government will pull down hotels and other entertainment places that are linked with such criminal political activities.

    “I wish to reiterate our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of lives and property throughout the State and to reassure everyone that we shall continue to spare no effort to keep Rivers State safe and secure.

    “We urge residents to be vigilant while going about with their normal activities and promptly report any suspicious gatherings or movements in your vicinity to the attention of the security agencies for necessary action.”

    Governor Wike commended the people of Rivers State for the overwhelming support and solidarity they have given to his administration since May 2015 till date.

    According to him, his administration truly appreciates the trust the people of the State have continued to place in his administration to advance the collective peace, security and progress of the State.

    “I wish to reiterate that our commitment to the shared covenant for a new, secure and prosperous Rivers State remains strong as ever and we will neither relent nor waiver in our determination to deliver all that we set out to achieve to advance our security, progress and prosperity before the end of our administration.

    “We have done so much and achieved a lot in the last seven years but there is still much more to be delivered. I can assure you that, and as you are witnessing, we will continue to deliver meaningful projects until our last day in office.

    “As you all know these are very turbulent times in the history of our country as the level of insecurity across all parts has never been this bad.

    “Nevertheless, we thank God Almighty for the prevailing high level of peace and security in Rivers State relative to the near calamity that has befallen most other parts of the country.”

    Governor Wike also applauded security agencies, for their efforts, courage and dedication to keeping Rivers State substantially safe and secure in the face of very daunting operational difficulties that they face, including the lack of adequate support systems and motivation from the Federal Government.

    “The government and the security agencies have laboured hard to secure the prevailing peace and security, which we are determined to sustain for the benefit of the progress of the State and the wellbeing of our citizens.”

  • Cultists Clashes Claims 4 Lives, Raze Houses In Kogi

    Cultists Clashes Claims 4 Lives, Raze Houses In Kogi

    Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    No fewer than four persons were said to have been killed while houses were razed down as a result of clashes between two rival cultists in Kabawa a native area in Lokoja the state capital.

    Our correspondent reliably gathered that the crisis started on Monday night as two rival groups of teenager engaged themselves in free for all fight which led to killing and burning of house in Kabawa native area.

    The crises which was as a result of reprisal attack according to source, cultists were armed with guns and other dangerous weapons invaded some houses, attack people and burnt houses allegedly belonging to rival group.

    However, when the police stormed the area on Tuesday to calm down the situation, some of the cultists engaged the security agent in a gun battle which lasted for several hours before they were over powered.

    While some families who could not stand the test of the crises took to their heels, some members of the cultists jumped into river Niger to avoid been arrest and then swim to the other side of the river bank.

    Meanwhile, the Kogi state police Command Public Relations Officers, SP William Aya while confirming the incident said 15 suspects have been arrested by the command.

    He added that presently the command can only confirm that one person was killed while investigation of what led to the incident has started.

  • Court remands 7 cultists in Kwara

    Court remands 7 cultists in Kwara

    magistrate court in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has remanded seven suspected secret cult members for allegedly killing one Ajibiye Ridwan in the Malete area of Moro council of the state.

    Police said some members of Buccaneers and Eiye confraternities engaged in a violent street fight in Malete, killing Ridwan.

    Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of Victor Chimezie Okpara, Zubair Aliyu Babatunde, Samu Soduq over the incident.

    The prosecutor, Moshood Agboola, prayed the court to order the remand of the suspects, saying their alleged offence is culpable homicide which is not admissible to bail.

    Magistrate AO Adeniyi adjourned the matter to February 24.

  • 2 students killed as cultists unleash attacks on police team in Kwara

    2 students killed as cultists unleash attacks on police team in Kwara

    The Kwara Police Command has confirmed the killing of two suspected cult students during an attack on security detectives.

    A statement from the command in Ilorin said some cultists on Saturday unleashed attacks on a team of Police detectives from the Special Tactical Squad (STS) FIB, Abuja, thereby causing pandemonium around the Kwara State Polytechnic gate, Ilorin.
    The statement by the command’s spokesman, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, explained that the team came on the trail of some cultists in the area.

    It however allayed fears among residents around the state Polytechnic area that the pandemonium experienced on Saturday within the area, arose as a result of the attack.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that cultists attacked and killed a student of Kwara State University, Malete, on Friday.
    The statement said that four of the cultists were arrested and dangerous weapons recovered from the suspects.

    It noted that some of the cultists were hiding at Lajolo area of Kwara Polytechnic Ilorin, where a similar attack was unleashed on one student named Idris Aderemi, at about 0600hrs on Saturday.
    “This prompted the visit to the area by the STS team.

    “Surprisingly, the cultists who were already in ambush, attacked the police team damaging the police Hummer bus, and inflicting a gunshot injury on the head of one police Sergeant, Adebayo Abdulahi, attached to the STS team.
    “In the ensuing imbroglio, students in their numbers came out to block the road and prevented free flow of traffic and burning tyres on the road.

    “The state Commissioner of Police, Tuesday Assayomo, immediately dispatched teams of policemen to the area to restore peace.

    “However, two cultists, one Ahmed ‘m’ surname unknown, and one Musibau ‘m’ A.K.A Shaban, were arrested with one fabricated English pistol with 3 live ammunition, 2 live cartridges and one pistol magazine.

    “The injured policeman and the suspects have been taken to the hospital for treatment.
    “The commissioner of police, had however, advised members of the public to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of attack or intimidation,” the statement read in part.

    It said calm has been totally restored in the affected area, while securitymen were on standby to forestall any further act of lawlessness.
    Reacting to the development, the Polytechnic management described as misinformation that the institution’s campus was under siege by students’ protest.

    The school’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Yunus Abdulkadir, explained that students of the institution were law abiding citizens and would not indulge in any illegal activity that would disrupt their academic careers.
    “Meanwhile, the incident that occurred at Lajolo community early Saturday morning was between the police and Lajolo community and has nothing to do with the polytechnic students or the campus, as first semester CBT examinations are going on right now at the Campus without any disturbance.
    “However, the management of the polytechnic has magnanimously accepted the plea of the students who could not make it to the campus before the blockage at Oyun.

    “Their examinations will be rescheduled to another date, which will be communicated to them via their heads of the department,” the statement said.

  • SPECIAL REPORT: Inside Osun Fed Poly where cultists get ‘clemency’

    SPECIAL REPORT: Inside Osun Fed Poly where cultists get ‘clemency’

    The menace of cultism over the years has eaten deep into the educational system, as more Students are daily initiated into different cult groups across campuses.

    Unlike before, cult and cult related activities are now gaining ground in one of Nigeria’s most prestigious Polytechnic, Federal polytechnic Ede in Osun State.

    It was disturbing to have watched student-cultists’ demonstration in their uniform ( In touch of yellows), cruising with cars during their last paper in early August in the campus.

    The Student-cultists (Alora in yellow) rallied from the school maingate to the school sport complex, where they had their meeting, a gathering celebrating the last paper of their finalist-members.

    Worried by the evolving trend of cultism in the school, our Reporter learnt that some student leaders in the school secretly petitioned the management over the cultist-display in the campus.

    They appealed to the school management to bring the identified Students to book.

    Despite evidences nailing the culprits, the management have chosen silence over action.

    A student comrade who spoke under the condition of anonymity expressed regret saying that with the silence of the school management on the cult display, the school which is much known for peace, morals and zero tolerance for cultism may soon be found wanting for probity.

    “We have called the attention of the school management to the cultist display, with pictorial evidences and videos, the authorities claimed to be aware of the display and assured to take action but till today the story has been carpeted.

    “The management cannot ignore such because they demonstrated right in from of the Administrative building to the school pavilion”.

    Another student who didn’t want his name in print said the silence is dangerous and detrimental to the wellbeing of the students community.

    He also decried the state of security outside the campus environment, saying that students can be instrumental if cultism is not been checked.

    Our Reporter recall that a statement on the heel of the cultist-display in August, the school management had promptly ordered the restriction of student vehicles into the campus – a directive which confirmed the consciousness of the management to the incident. (Order lifted now)

    It was learnt that, despite the measures, none of the identified culprits have been summoned by the school panel.

    Meanwhile, a source in the citadel confided that the management may have decided to ‘forgive’ the cultists to avoid students protest that could lead to ‘unnecessary disruption of academic calendar’, having witnessed a setback in the calendar due to ASUP crisis.

    The source also hinted on how several students who had perpetrated crime have enjoyed ‘mercy’ from the management.

    “… Ede Poly that I knew would have pasted their names outside the maingate and that is the end of their education here, the silence is not golden, it is dangerous for not just Students alone but the campus community”, the source added.

    However, when contacted, the Dean Directorate of Students affairs, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Dr. O. S. Omotosho denied the “cultist-display” in August.

    According to him “ It is outside of my purview…, but there is nothing of such, you can contact the school PRO” he said.

    Meanwhile, the School PRO, O.A Lawal in a close chat also corroborated the Dean of Students’ affairs.

    According to him “ I’m also repeating it now that nothing of such, the campus is calm, we have never witness any form of cultism in our citadel since the inception way back 1992, and it will never happen. It has to do with our age long tradition and motto of the institution, which is ” KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND CHARACTER. Once again, be rest assured that we have zero tolerance for any form of social vices.”

    When asked if the students who were captured during the rally have been pardoned despite evidences, the school spokesman said “It was just a figment of imagination.”

    He, however confirmed that no Students was tried for cultism recently “to the best of my knowledge, we have not tried any of our students, the questions of pardoning anyone is out of it” he denied.

    Also contacted, the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr Odushina said he wasn’t aware of the cultists rally.

    Meanwhile, Our Reporter consulted an Educationist in the department of Guidance and Counselling, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Dr. Omoyemiju Michael Adeniyi on the implication of the ‘silence’ on cultism of any educational institution on the Student community.

    Omoyemiju said the silence is a threat to Students’ lives on campus, adding that they will not be able to move freely especially in the night.

    Comparing OAU to other institutions, he said cultists are unpopular in Obafemi Awolowo University, because there have never been room for such.

    “In OAU, students move freely in the night because there is nothing to scare them.”

    Asked what should be the punishment for cultism in tertiary institution, Omoyemiju said “ OAU is strict and has a way of disciplining cultists, hence no student want to engage in cultism, others institution should emulate.”

    “…They get sanctioned, there are standard rules for such act in every institution” he added.

    Another Educationist, a senior lecturer in the Department of Guidance and Counselling, University of Ilorin, Dr Muhammed Shuaib asked the implication of the ‘forgiveness’ on the student community said cultism should not be permitted in any institution.

    According to him, the security architect of a school is faulty when cultists begin to display publicly.

    “Students will live in fear in any institution that grant ‘pardon’ to cultists, it is clearly stated in student handbook, the punishment is expulsion” he said.

  • Security: Hard time awaits scavengers, cultists, Drug abusers in FCT

    Security: Hard time awaits scavengers, cultists, Drug abusers in FCT

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The  FCT Administration has promised scavengers, cultism  and drug abuse a hard time in the territory as strategies to ensure the security of lives and properties of residents of the FCT.

    FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello disclosed this during the regular FCT Security Committee meeting held on Tuesday.

    According to the minister, scavengers who often operate under the influence of hard drugs, perpetrate a lot of criminal activities within the Territory which will not be tolerated.

    He said,  “each time there is crisis, you find that people of no known address, people without any means of livelihood suddenly come up with arms and start fighting each other and killing each other. All these are done under the influence of drugs and this is something that we are going to confront head-on”. 

    According to him, scavengers had hitherto concentrated their criminal activities on vandalizing public utilities but had now become major threats to lives and property, adding that their activities remain banned in the Federal Capital City.

    The minister said that the task of security cannot be left to the police alone disclosed the strategy  of  an improved working synergy within the security and intelligence community in the FCT.

     He also called for the support of the citizenry to always  provide intelligence to the security agencies.

     Malam Bello said “We need citizens’ support, especially in terms of intelligence dissemination and also for leaders at all levels, whether it’s at the ward level or at the city level or at the village level or at the Area Council level.”

      “Political leaders at all level, as well as traditional and religious leaders have to play their part and we need to communicate and also encourage citizens to be law abiding and also to provide needed intelligence. Doing that, I think by the grace of God, we will surmount and continue to make FCT a very safe place for everybody.”

    The Minister further hinted that security agencies have also hatched their plans and strategies to fight the kidnappings that occur, especially in communities outside the Federal Capital City.

      Meanwhile he  disclosed that efforts will be made to continue to encourage the cordial relationship between herders and farmers within the FCT in order to prevent clashes between them.

    Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu also reassured  residents of  safety of their lives  and property.

      She further  disclosed that the Administration was paying great attention to the reoccurrence of the Ebola Virus disease in Guinea taking into consideration that the FCT was an international gateway into Nigeria.

     Aliyu called on private clinics running the COVID-19 tests without reporting their finding to the relevant health authorities to desist from doing so. 

    She called for the full disclosure of all mortalities suspected to be to COVID-19 so that post mortems can be carried out on the deceased so that their relations can receive adequate care. 

      At the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA Mr Olusade Adesola, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr Umar Gambo Jubrin, Commissioner of Police, Mr Bala Ciroma, traditional and religious leaders, Area Council Chairmen, heads of relevant FCTA agencies and departments as well as heads of the various military and para-military formations in the FCT.

  • 25 suspected cultists arrested during initiation ceremony in Ogun

    25 suspected cultists arrested during initiation ceremony in Ogun

    Ogun State Police Command has arrested 25 suspected members of the Buccaneer cult group during an initiation ceremony in Abeokuta.

    The suspects were among 59 others paraded on Wednesday, for rape, kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, fraud, among others.

    Parading the suspects before journalists at the command’s headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, the state Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, disclosed that the suspects were arrested along with three herbalists, who conducted the initiation. 

    The commissioner said the cultists were arrested following intelligence reports, that some cultists were planning to unleash mayhem on members of the public, after conducting an initiation rite for new members in Ita-Oshin area of Abeokuta. 

    Items recovered from the suspects include battle axes, cutlasses, weed, suspected to be Indian hemp, and costumes of their group.

    25 suspected cultists arrested during initiation ceremony in Ogun

    Also paraded were three murder suspects Ugo Obi, Chinozo Jude and Chibuike Samson, arrested for allegedly beating a 23-year-old man, Samuel Ajibade, to death over alleged theft of two mobile phones belonging to one of them.

    25 suspected cultists arrested during initiation ceremony in Ogun
  • Stop Fortifying Cultists – Lagos Police Commissioner Warns Ikorodu Traditionalists

    Stop Fortifying Cultists – Lagos Police Commissioner Warns Ikorodu Traditionalists

    The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, has warned traditionalists in the Ikorodu Local Government Area of the state to stop fortifying cultists and criminals in the area, IgbereTV reports.

    The police chief gave the warning while speaking at the 2021 Ikorodu Town Hall Meeting on Security held in the community on Wednesday, January 27. He said community leaders must also contribute their quota in ensuring the safety of all and sundry in their environment by exposing all criminal elements. 

    He said;

    “The Local Government Councils in Ikorodu must occupy the front line in combating crimes in the area. Their constitutional responsibilities cannot be jettisoned in the fight against cultism and crimes in general.

    The traditional institution in the division must be up and doing in condemning the activities of the bad boys (cultists), instead of supporting and celebrating them and their criminal acts.

    The members of the public, especially landlords must key into this fight against insecurity in Ikorodu by screening those to be accommodated or harboured in their houses.

    The traditionalists and traditional worshippers in this area must stop promoting and protecting the criminals in Ikorodu axis and Lagos State in general. The ideas of fortifying the bad boys and providing native charms for them are counterproductive to our security architecture in this area. Their powers must be used to assist us not to jeopardise our efforts.

    The religious bodies must use all their platforms, links and ideological perspectives to promote peace and security in the state and Nigeria at large. The idea of preaching prosperity at the detriment of salvation is counterproductive to security of lives and properties in our contemporary society.”

  • Police arrest eleven suspected cultists in Lagos

    Police arrest eleven suspected cultists in Lagos

    The Lagos State Police have arrested eleven suspected cultists, who have been terrorizing Owode Elede, Agiliti, Maidan, Afinjuomo all in Mile 12 Ketu area of Lagos State.

    Spokesperson to the Governor of Lagos State, Gboyega Akosile made this known via series of tweets on his official twitter handle @gboyegaakosile on Monday.

    According to the Mr. Akosile, the suspected cultists were arrested on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th January, 2021, at different operations carried out by the police operatives attached to Ketu Division of the command.

    The suspected cultists are Yusuf Abiodun, male  ,22,  Jamiu Salami, male 30, Dare Taiwo, male  27, Oluwatobiloba Aberaman, male ,Balogun Taofeek, male 18, Samuel Owolabi, male 16, Ejemina Godfrey, male 39,
    Godwin Innocent, male 22, Keneting Uduenga, male 29, Ayeni Wales, male 29 and Lekan Olajide, male 22.

    Some of the items recovered from them include one locally-made pistol with life cartridges, weed suspected to be Indian hemp and assorted charms

  • Police Arrest 83 Suspected Cultists In Benue

    Police Arrest 83 Suspected Cultists In Benue

    The Police in Benue State have arrested eighty-three cultists and criminals with 10 firearms and seven live ammunition, as part of the police crackdown on black spots during the festive period.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Mohammed Mukadass disclosed this while briefing journalists at the headquarters on Wednesday.

    He also noted that the seizure and alleged burning of motorcycles in the troubled Sankera axis of the state, the erstwhile hotbed of deceased militia leader, Terwase Akwaza, has drastically reduced the rate of criminal activities in the area.

    Although the Commissioner of Police was silent on who burnt the motorcycles, he said the enforcement of the state security council decision to ban the use of motorcycles in Sankera following the killing of eight persons between the Christmas and new year holidays, was yielding result.