The Nigerian Navy Victory Ship, NNSV, has handed over 42 suspected cultists arrested by naval personnel to the Cross River Government for onward investigation and prosecution.
Briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Calabar, Commander, NNVS, Rear Admiral Vincent Okeke, said the suspects were arrested on Sunday May 24, 2020 after a tip off by concerned individuals.
Okeke, who was represented by Capt. Ibrahim Gwaska, said the tip off informed the Navy standby team that the suspects were gathered in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of the state for initiation and other activities.
According to him, intelligence gathering revealed that it was evidently clear that there was going to be a clash between the Klans and Black Axe confraternities.
“Accordingly, the base responded through a tip off and cordoned the area in Akpabuyo. In that raid, we arrested 61 suspected cultists. On arrival, preliminary investigations were been conducted and having concluded the investigation, 42 out of the arrested 61 persons were confirmed to be cultists accordingly. It is in this regard that we will be handing over the suspects to the state government and officials of the Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Unit for onward investigation and prosecution,” he said.
State Security Adviser, Southern Senatorial District, Ani Esin, who received the suspected cultists, commended the Navy for a successful operation adding that the Navy acted swiftly on the tip off that was given to them.
“As a state government, we are doing our best in ensuring that the issue of cultism is dealt with squarely. We are going to hand over the suspects to the relevant security agency for onward investigation and prosecution.”
Esin thereafter, handed over the suspects to an official of the Anti-Cultism and kidnapping Squad, Ogini Chukwuma for onward prosecution. (NAN)