The police in Imo State, South-east Nigeria, have apprehended a notorious cult leader and three accomplices in Mbieri, a community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.
According to Henry Okoye, the police spokesperson in the state, the suspects were arrested for allegedly terrorizing residents of the council area and other parts of the state.
The arrest was made on Wednesday when police operatives from an anti-vice squad raided the suspects’ hideout in the community following a tip-off, Mr. Okoye, an assistant superintendent of police, disclosed in a statement.
Despite the suspects opening fire upon sighting the police operatives, they were subdued by the superior firepower of the gallant officers. One of the suspects sustained gunshot injuries on his leg during the operation and was subsequently arrested along with his cohorts. They were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.
The suspects, identified as Chidera Nnajiofor, Obinna Sopuruchi Simon, Alloysius Fabian, and the notorious leader, Chinaecherem Ozoemelam, known as Gadafi, confessed to being members of the Vikings Confraternity, according to Mr. Okoye.
All the arrested suspects are males and hail from various communities in Imo State. The police recovered two locally made revolvers, shotguns, five rounds of live cartridges, military camouflage shorts, and face masks from the suspects.
Efforts are underway to apprehend other suspects at large, particularly the manufacturers of the locally made guns. The arrested suspects will be arraigned in court after a comprehensive investigation, Mr. Okoye stated.
