From Mathew Jwantu,
Minna
Niger State Police Command, has arrested sixteen students suspected to be cult members.
In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Wasiu Abiodun, DSP, the police said at about 0hrs, on July 7, 2021,’acting on a credible intelligence, Police operatives attached to Lapai Division arrested the suspects”.
They are: Joseph Biyama 22yrs, student,Adewale Sunday 28yrs, student, Ahmed Ahmed 23yrs, student,Victor Dada 23yrs, student, Kazeem Yahaya 26yrs, student Emmanuel Ogbadu 24yrs, student, Shittu Babatunde 23yrs, spill-over student .
Others are: Mikailu Yahaya 21yrs, graduate Abdullahi Mohammed 26yrs, graduate,Shekwolo Lamech 23yrs, graduate, Damilola Idris 20yrs, graduate,Taiwo Hussaini 25yrs, graduate, Haruna Lanre 24yrs, graduate, Saheed Saheed 28yrs, graduate, John Simeon 23yrs, non-student , Agbonika Ojoma 24yrs, non-student but all ‘m’ of IBB University Lapai.
The PPRO said they were arrested for being suspected members of Black Axe cult group at Gwaranyo lodge, state low cost area of Lapai while conducting their annual celebration of 7th July (7/7) in a room rented by Mikailu Yahaya, a student of IBBU Lapai residing off campus who just finished writing his final exams on 30th June, 2021.
“Seven of the suspects arrested are still students of IBBU Lapai, seven others claimed to have graduated from the same school while the remaining two are non-students”.
He noted that items recovered during the celebration and initiation ceremony includes: one small axe, one Army trouser, one Army face cap, one pot soaked with dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, one fifteen litres jerrican containing concoction suspected to have been mixed with illicit drugs, two bottles of castello alcoholic drink, and one MP3 radio player.
According to him, the case is under investigation while suspects will be arraigned in court for prosecution as soon as investigation is concluded.
The Police advised parents/guardians to always warn and monitor thier wards activities both at home and school to avoid peer group influence into unlawful association.
Read also : How I Survived IBBU Lapai Banditry Attack – Victim
