The Kogi State Police Command has announced the arrests of eight suspected cultists in Itobe, Ofu Local Government Area, and of three members of an ATM card-swapping fraud syndicate in Idah, on the eastern flank of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Kankarofi, disclosed this during a press conference at the command’s headquarters in Lokoja.
CP Bello Kankarofi said operatives of the Itobe Division, working with local auxiliary forces and community leaders, acted on credible intelligence and raided a location behind Government Secondary School, Itobe, leading to the arrest of eight male suspects, including Mutari Ahmed, Mohammed Tairu, Audu Moses Yahaya, Peter Vincent, Progress Aminu, Wisdom Friday, Gabriel Enema, and a 14-year-old boy.
He said items recovered included two TVS motorcycles, an axe and a cutlass, adding that preliminary investigations indicated the suspects had gathered to appoint a leader for a local cult group.
CP Bello Kankarofi said some of the suspects admitted membership of the Aro-Baga Vikings and Aiye confraternities and provided information on other persons connected to their activities. He said the arrests were significant in view of intelligence regarding planned violent clashes between rival cult groups in Itobe and Ejule communities, and attributed the tensions to longstanding rivalries, territorial disputes and retaliatory attacks.
He said the command was also addressing reprisal threats against security personnel and facilities, with measures strengthened to prevent violence, protect residents and commuters, and maintain security in the area.
He advised residents of Itobe, Ejule and neighbouring communities, as well as commuters along the Itobe–Anyigba Road, to remain vigilant, continue their lawful activities without panic, and report suspicious movements or threats to the nearest police station.
Kankarofi also said police operatives arrested three suspects in Idah for criminal conspiracy, fraudulent banking activities and ATM card swapping. They were identified as Philip Akiola, Ojo Thomas, and Abdulrauf Suleiman.
