36 cultists paraded in Rivers

THE Rivers State Police Command on Tuesday paraded about 36 suspected cultists, who were arrested after engaging security operatives in gun duel.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, said one of the suspects was killed during the gun battle inside the suspects camp located in Rumuekini, Port Harcourt.

Ahmad also said a combined team of policemen, who acted on a tip-off, stormed the suspects’ hideout before the gun duel began.

He added that three pump action guns, 80 rounds of cartridges, assorted charms and various electronics were recovered from the suspects, even as another group of five cult members were arrested in Chokocho, Etche Local Government Area by men of the Anti-Cultists unit of the command.

“On 31/05/2015 at about 8:00 pm at Rumuekini, Port Harcourt, combine team of policemen, acting on credible and reliable information, stormed suspected cultists’ enclave and engaged them in gun duel.

“The operation yielded the arrest of 31 suspected cultists while one was fatally wounded (killed). Items recovered from the enclave included three pump action guns, 80 rounds of cartridges, assorted charms and various electronics.

“On 31/05/2015 at about 11:00 pm at Chokocho in Etche, men of the Anti-Cultism unit stormed the suspected hideout of a gang of suspected cultists and arrested five suspects with one pump action gun and five locally-made guns,” Mohammad said.

He also recalled that one Ifeoma Amadi, who was kidnapped on May 29 at Eliozu was rescued on Tuesday from the camp of her captors along the Ogbakiri waterfront. He said the operation led to the recovery of one dane gun, two pump action guns, one locally-made pistol and cutlasses while three of the suspects were killed in a gun battle.

The state police spokesman listed the breakthroughs of the state police command in May 2015, saying that the command was determined to flush out criminals from the state.

He said a Toyota Camry car belonging to one Mr. David Nwoka snatched at gunpoint was recovered with one AK 47 rifle, ten rounds of 7.62 ammunition, one pump action gun and eleven cartridges.

Mohammad attributed the command’s achievements to the security consciousness of the citizens and the provision of reliable information.

“The Command equally reiterates its determination to sustain the onslaught against criminals’ hideouts. Such operation will be sustained with all vigour until the nefarious activities of the undesirable elements are brought to a halt.

“Accordingly, criminals are warned to turn a new leaf and recant crimes. But if they are ready to test our renewed commitment, they should be ready to face the full wrath of the law,” the state police spokesman added.