Police arrest 40 youths for alleged unlawful assembly in Delta

No fewer than 40 youths were yesterday arrested by a combined team of the anti-cult unit of police in Asaba and Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State.The Guardian learnt that those arrested were 18 girls and 20 boys who were somewhere at Agidiase quarters, by Nshiagu College.

At the time of their arrest, they were said to be at the peak of cult-related activities.A source at Ogwashi-Uku police station told our reporter that the police authorities in Asaba had directed them to screen the suspects and charge those found culpable to court.

The police source disclosed that their preliminary investigation revealed that some of the girls may not be directly involved in cultism, but may be having some intimate relationships with the boys.

“These are part of the investigations we are conducting for now. Those who do not have a hand in cult activities would be allowed to go. But those who are members would be charged to court in line with the law,” the source said.

The state government recently signed the anti-cultism bill into law, thereby proscribing any such assembly in whatever guise.According to investigation, illegal assembly still persists in the state, despite the new law banning membership of cult groups.

Several youths are said to be facing charges at the Ogwashi-Uku Chief Magistrate’s Court for cult-related offences, while many others are still deeply involved in related activities in the place.

The Guardian further leant that the two youths who allegedly murdered one Mrs. Franca Nweke somewhere off Isah Road in Ogwashi-Uku, in an attempt to rob the family, were members of a cult group.But the police spokesman in the state, Mr. Andrew Aniamaka who confirmed the arrest, said investigations were still ongoing.