The police commands in Ekiti, Rivers, and Anambra states have banned unlawful gatherings in light of a celebration to be observed on Sunday (today) by some notorious cult groups across the country.
Sunday PUNCH Special learned that 7/7 is frequently observed by notorious cult groups, who use the date to initiate new members and engage in other violent activities, typically at night.
The confraternity, also known as Aiye or Black Axe, according to the police, intends to have this event code-named Aiye Day, as a commemoration of their founder’s day in all states of the federation, especially in higher institutions of learning.
According to a statement by the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, on Saturday, the state Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale placed a ban on “any form of gathering or celebration in all hotels, bars, event/recreation centres and the likes across the state on Sunday 7th of July, 2024 except those authorised by the state government or the police authority.”
Abutu added the CP also “directed all the Area Commanders, Heads of Intelligence and Tactical Units and the DPOs to be at alert, deploy adequate operatives across their jurisdictions especially all the identified black spots and ensure the arrest and prosecution of anyone who undermines this directive.”
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, in a statement issued by the state PPRO, Grace Iringe-Koko, ordered operatives to raid hideouts domiciled by cultists including hotels across the state, to prevent the event from holding and forestall possible attacks and bloodbaths by rival cult groups.
The statement read, “Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical team commanders are to employ visible and effective patrol strategies with close monitoring of all higher educational institution campuses, and public places across their areas of responsibilities to intercept cult members and frustrate their purpose.
“Higher institutions of learning be advised to increase security measures and maintain strict supervision to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. Educators and school administrators should be observant of unusual gatherings or activities among students in their institutions.”
The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement on Saturday, warned hoteliers and proprietors of bars, and event/recreation centres to be cautious about such gatherings in their facilities as there will be consequences if found wanting.
“However, the command reiterates that such event or any other related activities remains banned and shall not hesitate to invoke relevant laws, especially the newly signed Anti-Cultism law of the state, on anyone caught in cult/related activities or any act capable of undermining security in the state.”
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Neo-Black Movement of Africa, in a statement released by its National Public Relations Officer, Ajibo Sam-Brown, on Monday, said, “NBM of Africa is an organisation that has all its activities documented, promotes peace and condemns in its entirety illegality. In the history of NBM of Africa, there is no place where July 7 was documented as Founders Day.
“Hence it is a misnomer for any group of persons to ascribe NBM of Africa to that date, and also NBM of Africa is not Black Axe. NBM of Africa has no relationship with Black Axe, NBM of Africa disassociates itself from the name “Black Axe.”
Also, a middle-aged woman in Ado Ekiti was shot dead by gunmen who reportedly came on a motorbike and attempted to collect her bag while she stood by the road.
A source said that the incident happened at a junction close to the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti Continuing Education Centre, off NTA Road, Ado Ekiti.
The source said, “The men on the bike wanted to collect the woman’s bag. In the process of trying to resist the attempt to take her bag, the criminals shot at her and rode off.”
She noted that the incident caused panic in the area while many scampered for safety and some traders around there hurriedly closed their shops and ran for their lives.
Confirming the incident, Abutu said the incident was more of a robbery attack, adding that N40,280.00 was found in the victim’s bag.
He added, “Her body has been deposited in the morgue. Investigations have begun on the matter. The police are on the trail of the criminals.”
