Five Arrested For Possession Of Firearms, Cultism In Imo

The Imo State Police Command, Wednesday, announced the arrest of five persons for illegal possession of arms and cult activities.

A statement from the state command’s public relations officer, SP Ikeokwu Godson Orlando, and made available to THE WHISTLER in Owerri, said the arrests were recorded in two separate operations by the command’s police operatives.

According to the statement, “On the 13/6/2020, operatives of the anti-cultism unit, while on stop-and-search duties at Akwakuma, by Owerri/Orlu road, stopped a Kasea motorcycle carrying three persons: one Ibe Uchenna, ‘m’, aged 25 years old, a native of Okpala in Ngor Okpala LGA; Chikwado Allessio Onuoha, ‘m’, aged 23 years old, of Amaraku in Isiala Mbano LGA, and Johnson Ezekiel Chigozie, ‘m’, aged 24 years old, of Amakohia in Owerri North LGA. Upon search conducted, a locally-made pistol was recovered from Chikwado Allesio Onuoha.”

He said preliminary investigations revealed that they were part of the robbery syndicate that were terrorizing Amakohia, Akwakuma, Egbeada, Ubommiri and environs, adding that they would be charged to court accordingly.

In another development, the state police command also arrested two young men for possession of firearms and cult activities. Our correspondent gathered that on the 14/6/2020, operatives of the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ehime Mbano, arrested one Chijioke Onyeahialam, ‘m’, aged 25 years old, and one Johnbosco Ihekoronye, ‘m’, for being members of Black Movement of Africa, aka AYE or Black Axe secret cult fraternity. A locally-made pistol was recovered from them at the point of arrest.

According to SP Ikeokwu, “Preliminary investigations revealed that they were planning to avenge an attack on one of their members when they were arrested. They however confessed to the crime, and will be charged to court accordingly.”