No fewer than 40 suspected cultists, kidnappers and armed robbers were paraded at the headquarters of the Cross River State Police Command in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hogan Bassey, who disclosed this on Saturday, said the suspects were arrested at different locations within the state.
He said weapons recovered from the suspects included locally-made pistols and axes, stressing that the command had intensified efforts at putting an end to the menace of cultism in the state.
The hoodlums were arrested few days after rival cult groups, identified as Vikings and Scorpions, clashed in the Calabar South axis of the metropolis. The incident reportedly claimed lives and property.
An aged man and local chief in Calabar South axis, whose name was not disclosed, was among those paraded for allegedly aiding and abetting cult activities. Southern City News learnt the man’s two sons, who were suspected to be members of one of the cult groups, fled when the police raided their home.
“You are aware of the slight increase in cult-related crimes in the state, especially violent attacks against law-abiding citizens. This development has been so disturbing. The height of these absurd activities came when the Vikings and Scorpions cult groups clashed. It led to the death of four of their members in Calabar South area.
“We are not relenting in our efforts to checkmate the excesses of these groups and to create a conducive atmosphere for business to thrive. We are partnering with other security agencies and have increased our policing, foot and vehicular patrol.
“The sustained raid of black spots, use of informants, vigilante groups, adoption of some strategic community initiatives and proactive measures have helped us to reduce crime,” Bassey added.
Meanwhile, the Head of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in the command, Mr. Salami Ganiyu, attributed the arrest of the suspects to proactive security strategies.
Ganiyu stated that the suspects would soon be prosecuted, assuring that more arrest would be made towards ridding the state of criminals.
The head of CID unit also disclosed that his men were closely monitoring the activities of homeless juveniles that constitute security threats to the metropolis.
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