The Rivers State police command says it has arrested 9 suspected cultists in Okwuzi, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local government council of the state.
Police PRO, Ahmad Mohammad disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Mohammad said, the police were able to arrest the suspects following a tip-off that the rival cult group, Degbam and De’well were clashing in the area.
He also disclosed that the police also apprehended some cultists who were in the process of initiating some students of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.
The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the public that in response to two separate distress calls, nine cultists were arrested.
“On 24/11/2014 at about 0200 hour a distress call indicated planned battle of supremacy between De-Well and Degbam cults groups at Okwuzi Community in Onelga.
“The clash was averted by the swift action of the police where seven suspects were arrested.
“They are Chinazo Amaechi, NnaChisom, Solomon Ossai, RegimusIgwelatu, Monday Jackson, ChinonsoFordima and Tony Amanya while others fled. Items recovered from them included one pump action gun, four live cartridges, one double barrel gun, Honda jeep with registration No. IMO WER 685 FX, Toyota Camry saloon with registration No. RIVERS BER 407 AP, two laptop computers and assorted charms. The suspects on interrogation confessed to belonging to either of the groups.
“In a similar response same day at about 1330 hour information received had it that some suspected cultist were sighted with arms around back gate of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt (RSUST) initiating new members.
“Team of policemen stormed the area and arrested Joel Ozekume, a final year student of RSUST and Princewill Brown, a graduate of Cross River State University while others escaped. One beretta pistol and 3 rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from them.
“The Command wishes to use this medium to warn criminals and their alike to denounce or be ready to face tough time as the Command is fully ready to take the aggressive onslaught to their enclaves.
“The Command equally wishes to assure people of its readiness of sustained instant response to distress calls within shortest possible time while members of the public are urged to be security conscious and report any character or move capable of undermining the existing public peace and security, please”.
