55 suspected cultists arrested as Policemen from Octopus Strike Force raid hideouts

55 suspected cultists arrested as Policemen from Octopus Strike Force raid hideouts

55 suspected cult group members have been arrested by police operatives in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The suspected cultists were arrested on Monday and Tuesday when the police operatives raided their hideouts in the waterfronts areas of Diobu, a densely populated part of the Rivers State capital.

A source in the area, who pleaded anonymity, said a combined team of personnel drawn from Anti-Cultism Unit, Octopus Strike Force, Mile 1 Police Division and Azikiwe Police Division carried out the raids.

It was reported by Leadership newspaper that the raids and arrests came barely five days after warring cult groups in Diobu reportedly agreed to a peace deal and declared ceasefire in cult war that claimed some lives.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the raids and arrests to journalists in Port Harcourt.

Iringe-Koko, who did not disclosed the number of persons that were arrested during the raids, said the raids were in connection with the recent cult clashes in the area.

She stated that the arrested suspects were being profiled and anyone found culpable will be arraigned in court at the end of investigation.