Police arrest 40 youths for alleged unlawful assembly in Delta

No fewer than 40 youths were on Thursday arrested by a combined team of the anti-cult unit of the state police command in Asaba and the police in Ogwashi-Uku for alleged unlawful assemblage bothering on cultism.

Findings indicate that those arrested were 18 girls and over 20 boys who were in their rendezvous somewhere at Agidiase quarters by Nshiagu College when the police stormed their venue as they were at the pick of their cult activities.

As at the time of filling this report, the arrested suspects were at the police net, while a reliable source at Ogwashi-Uku Police Station hinted our reporter that the police authority in Asaba had directed them to screen the suspects and charge any found culpable to court.

The police source had further revealed that their preliminary investigation revealed that some of the girls may not be directly involved in cultism but may be having relations with the boys.

“These are part of the investigations we are conducting for now. “Those who do not have a hand in the cult activities will be allowed to go, but for those who are members, they will be charge to court in line with the law”, hinted our source.

It will be recalled that Delta state government recently signed the anti-cultism bill into law, thereby proscribing any such assemblage in whatever guise, but investigation so far revealed that despite the new law banning membership of such cult, the illicit assemblage still persist.

So far, several youths are facing charges at Ogwashi-Uku Chief Magistrate Court for cult related offences, while many others are still deeply in it, revealed sources at Ogwashi-Uku.

Investigation revealed that two youths who allegedly murdered one Mrs. Franca Nweke somewhere off Isah Road in Ogwashi-Uku in an attempt to rob the family were members of a cult group in Ogwashi-Uku who specialized in robbing and maiming their victims.

But the Police Image Maker in the State. Mr. Andrew Aniamaka who confirmed the arrest of the youths, said investigation into their act was on going, adding that they will be charged to court on completion of investigation.

Nosa Akenzua, Asaba