Police parade 33 robbery, cultism suspects in Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command on Monday paraded 13 armed robbery suspects and 20 suspected cultists arrested in the state within five days. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Abdurrahman, who paraded the suspects before newsmen in Enugu, said he assumed office a week ago, adding that the new strategy he deployed was yielding positive […]

The Enugu State Police Command on Monday paraded 13 armed robbery suspects and 20 suspected cultists arrested in the state within five days.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Abdurrahman, who paraded the suspects before newsmen in Enugu, said he assumed office a week ago, adding that the new strategy he deployed was yielding positive results.

He said most of the arrests were made through intelligence gathering and tip-off to the police by public-spirited individuals.

He explained that the command recovered seven rifles, five live cartridges, other items recover are; one live and two expended ammunition as well as nine handsets, one tricycle, one motorcycle, two laptops and charms from the armed robbery suspects.

“Following the recent face-off between Vikings and Black Axe cult groups, which led to many killings at Nsukka, a suspect, one Tochukwu Ugwu, was arrested at Orba in Nsukka.

“The suspect belongs to Vikings confraternity and was once the coordinator of Vikings in Nsukka.

“A Beretta pistol, one locally-made pistol, one cut to size locally-made single barrel gun, one military bullet proof and one arrow De Norsemen black cap and Kangaroo cap were recovered from him alone,” CP Abdurrahman said.

He further said the operatives of the command’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) also arrested 10 notorious armed robbery suspects who were a thorn in the flesh of various communities on the outskirts of Enugu metropolis.

The commissioner said some locally-made rifles and charm were recovered from them, adding that the operatives have commenced investigation to further expose their unlawful activities.

Abdurrahman further said: “Also on Sept. 7, Emmanuel Okoro and one other were arrested at Aria road, Enugu, on information that the suspects were robbing a victim with a toy gun and exploded knock-out.

“A handset and the sum of N14,520 were recovered from them and they are still being investigated to track down other members of their gang,” he said.

The commissioner also commented on the suspected cultists arrested by the anti-cult unit of the police command, explaining that they were arrested on Sept. 7 on information received by the command’s operatives.

He said that those arrested are suspected to be members of Vikings Confraternity Norsemen, who were having their meeting at a Resort in Enugu.

“They confessed to be members of De Norsemen; and banner with symbols/logos of Norsemen as well as water proof envelopes containing documents were recovered,” he said.

The commissioner added that most of the suspected cultists, whose investigation had been concluded would be charged to court immediately, adding that others would be investigated further to determine their level of involvement in crimes within the state.

But Comrade Okenwa Uka, who spoke on behalf of the 20 suspected cultists, said that De Norsemen Kclub Incorporated was a duly registered organization by the CAC, with registration number RC 7458.

“We are a notable, charitable and responsible organization with illustrious members worldwide and we have nothing to do with cultism or crime as alleged by the police authorities.

“We are ready to challenge the police that disrupted our conference being held peacefully in Enugu on Sept. 7 as well as labeling us, with arrays of professionals, as cultists,’’ Uka said.

According to Uka, their organization had in the recent past made charity donations to IDP camps in North East and other places where they visited the less fortunate.