Security
Suspected Cultist Apprehended by Police in Ebonyi, Firearms Seized
In an operation carried out by the police in Ebonyi, a suspected member of the Black Axe Confraternity, a notorious cult group has been arrested.
He was arrested on Saturday, the police spokesperson in the state, DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident on Sunday in Abakaliki.
According to Ukandu, the suspect was apprehended by police operatives on patrol at Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi. During the arrest, the police recovered three locally-made pistols, six live cartridges, one live 7.62mm ammunition, and three live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect admitted to being a member of the Black Axe Confraternity,” the Police spokesman said, adding that it is suspected that the alleged cultist is also affiliated with the proscribed Eastern Security Network, which is linked to the equally-proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The police spokesperson further revealed that the suspect will be arraigned in court once the investigation is concluded. The arrest and recovery of firearms are significant steps towards curbing the activities of cultists and ensuring the safety of the public.
This incident highlights the continuous efforts of the Nigerian police in Ebonyi to combat cultism and other criminal activities. The police have been relentless in their pursuit of those involved in cultism, as they pose a serious threat to the peace and security of the society.
Cultism has been a recurring issue in various parts of the country, and the police have been working tirelessly to dismantle these groups and bring their members to justice. The arrest of the suspected cultist and the recovery of firearms serve as a warning to other cultists that their activities will not be tolerated.
The police in Ebonyi, with the support of the community, are determined to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of residents. The collaboration between the police and the public is crucial in combating cultism and other criminal activities. It is through such cooperation that criminals are apprehended and brought to justice.
The Nigerian police continue to encourage members of the public to provide timely and accurate information that can assist in identifying and apprehending criminals. This partnership between the police and the community is vital in creating a safe and secure environment for all.
The arrest of the suspected cultist in Ebonyi and the recovery of firearms demonstrate the commitment of the police to maintain peace and security in the state.
The police say it will continue to work tirelessly to rid the society of cultism and ensure the safety of its residents. The public is urged to cooperate with the police by reporting any suspicious activities or individuals to help in the fight against crime.
A student of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has been abducted by unidentified gunmen following an off-campus hostel attack.
Channels reports that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Istijaba Villa in Unguwar Jeji area of the state.
Witness accounts said five armed men entered the hostel to demand money from students who were taking a walk outside.
But the students refused to give in to their demands, which led to an assault from the attackers.
A resident, who was said to have attempted intervention, was shot dead while a final-year student of economics, simply identified as Madubiya, was whisked away by the assailants.
Responding to the incident, Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, the vice-chancellor of FUBK, visited the scene in the company of the officers from the Kalgo police division and Department of State Services (DSS).
Addressing the students, Zaiyan-Umar said the university is committed to ensuring their safety and security.
It is understood that the VC has communicated the incident to Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi state, through the secretary to the state government and the director of security services at the cabinet office.
As of this reporting, the Kebbi state police command has yet to respond to enquiries about the incident.
In 2021, rumours soared of a planned attack by bandits after a heavy security presence was observed on campus.
At the time, the management of FUBK dismissed the claims.
The National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding a lasting solution to the incessant attacks and killings in Plateau State.
Speaking at Operation Safe Haven headquarters in Jos during an operational visit in the aftermath of attacks in some communities of the Bokkos Local Government Area LGA) of the state, Ribadu promised to end the killings.
Over fifty persons were killed within a week in attacks over five communities that left over three hundred houses burnt by suspected herdsmen.
The Plateau State Government, through the Secretary to the Government Samuel Jatau, also visited some of the affected communities to ascertain the extent of damages and also donate relief materials to affected victims.
Adu expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding solutions to the incessant attacks and killings.
Also, speaking about the killings, the District Head of Manguna wants the government to provide more security personnel in the affected communities to curb rural-urban migration.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed sadness over the recent frightening attacks by terror groups on defenseless communities in Plateau State, which resulted in the tragic deaths of several people, including children.
The forum calls on the federal government to be constitutionally responsible for the protection of the lives and properties of citizens. It said this will ensure that such renewed attacks and killings on the Plateau and other communities in the Northern region and other parts of the country are stopped immediately.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, it asked the Federal Government to declare a state of security emergency on vulnerable and banditry-prone communities and to initiate effective early-warning and early-response strategies that incorporate the participation of community members.
“ACF reiterates its long-standing stance that every new such experience is one too many. Clearly, the people are in great pain, with their situation compounded by existential economic challenges. The killing spree on the Plateau must be stopped immediately, and peace must return to the State,” it said.
It also called on intensified efforts in actionable intelligence gathering, processing, and deployment by all relevant security agencies to establish the immediate and remote causes of the latest skirmishes, as well as for security agencies to investigate, identify, arrest, and prosecute perpetrators and enablers of the attacks.
Furthermore, ACF demanded full compensation for the victims of the attack and the extension of relief to those injured by the attackers.
“ACF deeply mourns the dead and unequivocally condemns the attacks. The Forum particularly extends sympathy and condolence to the affected communities, the Government, and the people of Plateau State,” part of the statement read.
“The Forum identifies with the deep pains of families of the victims, prays to God to grant the deceased eternal rest, for surviving victims to be fortified with strength to bear the losses and for quick return to full health for all who suffered injuries.”
It also asked the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government to empower community leaders, elders, clergy, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to embark on community dialogue for conflict resolution, reconciliation, and cooperation.
“Citizens should avail the security agencies with credible information on the activities of insurgents and criminals; and members of the National Assembly to do more to hold the FGN and the national security agencies to account and to demand concrete evidence of a firm resolve to exterminate the current terror on citizens,” the statement added.