A Nigeria group has reacted angrily over reports associating it with some citizens arrested in Italy.
The Italian Police had arrested about 73 members of what it called “a notorious Nigerian mafia group”.
They were said to be members of Norsemen Kclub International, DNKI.
However, reacting, Dr. Ike Felix, Publicity Secretary of DNKI, said it was wrong to criminalize an association based on the arrest of some persons.
According to him, “it was brought to our attention that certain individuals who claim to be members of Denorsemen Kclub International are currently in Police custody in Italy after they were arrested.
“First, we want to commend the Italian Police for their work in arresting these individuals. Secondly, we call on the Italian Police to make sure that they are properly investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the Law.
“Furthermore, please be aware that there are many imposters among the public parading themselves as members of our organization and engaging in the extortion of unsuspecting members of the public with promises of admitting them into an organization that they themselves are not members of or using the name of our organization as a cover for their criminal activities.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is pertinent to know that Denorsemen Kclub is a lawfully registered organization and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria and equally registered in Italy with the Commission for Societal Affairs.
“We focus on charity to the needy and we leverage on the essence of brotherhood amongst members. We do not endorse or sponsor crimes.
“It is in the light of this that we take particular exception to the attempts by the Italian media in trying to associate the activities of criminal elements with our noble Kclub. Such publications only help in misleading the public about the activities of Denorsemen Kclub as there are available records that show the facts. The logo displayed by the suspected criminals is our logo. It is a logo which Denorsemen Kclub has patented.
“Unfortunately, many other organisations have often displayed this logo with neither the consent nor prior knowledge of Denorsemen Kclub. It is, therefore, wrong to assume that the arrested persons are members of Denorsemen Kclub solely on the strength of our logo found in their possession.
“Investigate these individuals. If there is anyone of them found to be a member of Denorsemen Kclub and who has been found to be complicit in any crimes, please let the full process of the law take its course.
“But desist from associating criminal conduct with our noble organisation. Criminal liability is personal and cannot be transferred,” he further stated.
