Police arrest 16 suspected cultists in Niger

By Aideloje Ojo
Minna

The police in Niger state have arrested 16 suspected Cult members operating within Suleja local government area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state command, ASP, Bala Elkana stated this at the weekend while parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Minna.
He said that cults have been operating under pet names of “Aro De- Bagger”,   “Vikings” and  “Noise men fraternity” and that they were picked up in a raid carried out on their criminal hideout during their end of the year  meeting which they tagged “Santa Natasa 36 meeting” at about 5:45pm on Monday.

He explained that the meeting was to plan how to ounleash terror on unsuspecting victims in the areas during Christmas and New year festivities.
The PPRO said that the suspects were led by a 29 –year old   Aminu Mustapha from Obehina community in Okene Local Government of Kogi State,  while his deputy was Precious Igede, a 24- year old Forklift Operator at the 7up Bottling Company,   Idu Yard, Abuja.

He identified other suspected cult members arrested by the police to included Alex Azees, Keneth Oparake, Sule Joshua, Mohammed Yakubu, Precious Igane,Christian Chukwu, Chinnemba Igbonekwu, Innocent Chima, , Deke Junior, Itope Christian, Isaac Friday , Califa Ugonma, Idris Ali, Endurance Dada and Charles Chinozo.
He said that exhibits recovered from the suspects included a cut to size locally made Pistol loaded with live ammunition, Six cutlasses, two still Cameras and a  Knife, adding that the suspects have confessed to the offence.