Cult Clashes Claimed 9 Lives In Ebonyi – Commissioner

No fewer than nine lives have been lost in Ebonyi State as a result of recent cult clashes between two cult fraternities, according to the state commissioner for internal security and border peace, Mr Stanley Okoremegha.

Mr Okoremegha announced this to newsmen in Abakaliki on Monday after the state security council meeting. He further revealed that the state governor, Engr David Umahi, had directed security agencies in the state to effect the arrest of anybody involved in the killings no matter how highly placed.

THE WHISTLER reports that thirty-seven suspects had so far been arrested on cult-related matters in the recent time. Mr Okoremegha said they would soon be charged to court, adding that the Umahi administration had ‘promised to give anyone who provides useful information on the identities of cultists involved in the clashes special package’.

Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has commenced inquiries into a cache of ammunition discovered at a major building materials market in Abakaliki last week. The market has since been cordoned off by security operatives after the recovery of 9,000 live ammunition from a shop in the market.

The commissioner said, “The owner of the shop has been arrested alongside other suspects. The DSS is investigating the matter.”

Our correspondent reported that Gov Umahi, had last Sunday at a thanksgiving service at the Christ Embassy, Abakaliki, vowed that those behind various cult activities in the state would be fished out and brought to book.

According to him, “The trouble I will make with such persons will not be in the state. The cultists will be taken to Abuja, and those arrested will give us the names of cultists in Ebonyi, and we will come after them.”