Security operatives have arrested 13 suspected cultists during an initiation ceremony in a forest area between Alode and Onne in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Sunday after about 100 young men reportedly gathered in the forest for the initiation exercise.
An eyewitness, identified as Lene, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Monday that police operatives stormed the location while the ritual was ongoing.
According to him, many of the participants fled into the forest on sighting the approaching security team, while over 13 suspects were arrested at the scene.
He alleged that the group involved were members of the Aiye Confraternity, also known as Black Axe, adding that initiation ceremonies were often held in forested areas to strengthen territorial presence in the locality.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, ASP Blessing Agabe, confirmed the arrest of the suspects, adding that an investigation had commenced.
“Yes, I can confirm the arrests. Investigation has commenced,” she said, but declined to provide further details on the operation.
Cult-related activities have remained a persistent security concern in parts of Rivers State. On Saturday, a joint security operation involving the police, Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was launched to curb rising cases of kidnapping, cultism, and other violent crimes in the state.
