The Nigerian Navy Ship Victory in Calabar has arrested 42 cultists during initiation In Cross River State.
The Navy responded to a tip off when the group gathered in a location in Akpabuyo during an initiation.
According to navy intelligence investigations, they were preparing for a clash between Klans and Black Axe.
The cultists were handed over to the Anti-Cultism and kidnapping Unit of the police through the State Security Adviser South, Mr Ani Esin.
The 42 suspected cultists were on Tuesday, handed over to the Cross River State Government for onward investigation and prosecution.
The report obtained from NN website stated that the Commander of NNVS, Rear Admiral Vincent Okeke, while briefing newsmen in Calabar, the state Capital, said the suspects were arrested on Sunday through a tip-off by concerned individuals in the area.
Represented by Capt. Ibrahim Gwaska, Okeke, explained that the Navy standby team was informed that the suspects were in Akpabuyo local government area of the State arranging for initiation and other activities.
He buttressed that through intelligence gathering, it was very clear there was going to be a clash between the Klans and Black Axe confraternities.
According to him; “we are here to do a routine handover of 42 suspects to the Cross River Government representative.
“Accordingly, the base responded through a tip-off and cordoned the area in Akpabuyo. In that raid, we arrested 61 suspected cultists.
“On arrival, preliminary investigations were conducted and having concluded the investigation, 42 out of the arrested 61 persons were confirmed to be cultists accordingly.
“It is on this regard that we will be handing over the suspects to the state government and officials of the Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Unit for onward investigation and prosecution”.
