- No fewer than 13 teenagers have been arrested for alleged involvement in cultism by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Nasarawa state
- One of the suspects, 18-year-old Usman Yahaya, said he joined cult group for protection and to prevent rivals from snatching his girlfriend
- The agency said the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation
The Nasarawa state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it arrested 13 teenagers for alleged involvement in cultism in the Shange area of the Lafia local government of the state, Punch reports.
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NAIJ.com gathered that while parading the alleged cultists and seven other suspected criminals on Tuesday, January 2, the NSCDC commandant, Muhammad Gidado-Fari, said they were apprehended for allegedly engaging in cultism, stealing, defilement, breach of trust and assault.
An 18-year-old teenager, Usman Yahaya, who was said to be a member of the 'Touch and See' cult group, said he joined the gang for self-protection and to prevent any rival from snatching his girlfriend.
According to the NSCDC commander, the suspects were apprehended with the support of the Nasarawa Youth Empowerment Scheme and members of the public who shared information with the police, adding that all the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
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He said: “That is why I always appeal to the public to assist us. We need their understanding and cooperation because when you fight collectively, you succeed. We are not calling on civilians to go and fight but to be our informants."
“Eleven suspected cultists belonging to a group known as ‘Assist’ were apprehended by the command while two others suspected members of the cult called ‘Touch and See’ were arrested in the Shange area of Lafia.
“A total of 26 suspects were arrested for offences ranging from cultism, theft, defilement, breach of trust to assault across the state.
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested 13 suspected cultists in Nasarawa state
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that over 75 members of Omeiji cult, including their leader, were arrested by the Lagos state police task force.
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The cultists were alleged to be terrorising people in Ipaja and Oshodi areas of the state.
The alleged cult leader, Franklin, had been on the wanted list of the police for crimes ranging from robbery to bag snatching and dealing dealing in Indian hemp.
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Source: Naija.ng