The Police Command in Rivers State has cautioned the public regarding potential cult-related activities across the country today, June 7.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson of the Command, in an issued statement in Port Harcourt yesterday, disclosed that a large number of ‘Black Axe’ cultists were preparing to mark their Founders Day.
According to her, intelligence reports indicate that the confraternity intends to initiate innocent victims into their group and potentially engage in clashes with rival cults on the same day.
We have received information about the Neo-Black Movement (NBM), also known as Aiye or Black Axe, which plans to hold a nationwide commemoration in honour of their Founders Day. The event, code-named: Aiye Day or 7/7, is scheduled to be observed in all States of the federation, especially in institutions of higher learning.
The Command is aware of the antecedents of the confraternity, notorious for killings on campuses, inter-cult clashes, and other criminal activities of a violent nature.
Iringe-Koko further said that intelligence reports suggested the group was plotting to disrupt public peace from their strongholds and on tertiary campuses across the country.
The ceremony could possibly lead to counter-cult activities, inter-cult violence and other associated violent crimes in and around tertiary institutions in Rivers. It might provide ample opportunity for the forced initiation of innocent victims, as well as crimes such as rape and armed robbery.
Consequently, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olatunji Disu, has directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and tactical team commanders to conduct pre-emptive and responsive raids.
The Police image maker emphasised that the pre-emptive measures would target cult hideouts, high-risk areas and hotels that could serve as meeting points for cult leaders, adding that police operatives had been instructed to prevent the planned event, arrest suspected cultists and bring them to justice.
