The police in Anambra State have arrested 19 suspected cult members during their initiation.
Confirming the arrests, the command’s spokesman, Haruna Mohammed, said the suspects were arrested on Sunday at 12:45pm while initiating new members into their secret cult group at Ukulu forest in Dunukofia Local Govermment Area of the state.
He said the police operatives comprising Special Anti-Cult unit (SPACS) and Operation Puff Adder stormed the bush where the would-be cultists were being initiated and arrested 15 male suspects.
Mohammed disclosed that during the raid, police recovered at the scene regalia of Aiye secret cult, drum and charms of different categories, four knives and empty shells of expended cartridges.
In a related development, the spokesman said operatives of the command at 04:45am carried out a similar exercise at Mbaukwu in Awka South LGA and arrested four male suspected cultists.
According to him, exhibits recovered from them included one dagger, one axe, charms and substances suspected to be cannabis sativa.
He said, all suspects had confessed to being members of a secret cult known as Aiye Confraternity.
Mohammed further disclosed that one suspected cultist, Anene Chekwube (24); who allegedly specialises in burglary and stealing, was also arrested at Mbaukwu and motorcycle spare parts were recovered in his possession.
He added that 12 other male suspected cultists were arrested in their different hideouts at various locations across the state and that they had confessed to belonging to SVC secret cult group.
Their cases, he said were still under investigation after which they would be charged to court.
Earlier, the spokesman, in a statement released at the weekend, revealed that the command also arrested 95 suspected cultists and three suspected robbers last week.
