Five suspected cultists have been arrested by the Imo State Police Command.

The suspects are members of Black Axe Confraternity that operate within Owerri, the state capital.

A press statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Henry Okoye, informed that their arrest was carried out through an intelligence-based operation by the operatives of the command’s Quick Intervention Team, QIT.

The five suspected cultists were arrested at Irete on September 2, 2024.

“The suspects, identified as Uche Ibejiako, 26, from Owerri Municipal; Mariano Daniel, 24, from Delta State; Micheal Chukwuemeka, 23, from Umuokwu Izombe in Oguta Local Government Area; and Annointing Ezeh, 23, from Umugada Irete in Owerri West LGA, were arrested following a strategic operation designed to combat cult-related activities within the state” he stated.

The police spokesperson further informed that the suspects have confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity, a known criminal group.

He said further that an investigation, aimed to gather further evidence on their activities, is still in progress.

He revealed that the suspects will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.