Benue police parade 14 suspected cult members

Not less than 14 suspected cultists connected with the recent clash between rival cult groups in Otukpo have been arrested by the Benue State Police Command.

The clash left three persons dead with five others severely injured.

Parading the suspects at the police headquarters, Makurdi yesterday, the Commissioner of Police, Dibal Yakadi, said that the suspected cultists were arrested in Otukpo following an intelligence report on their involvement in cult activities in the area.

Represented at the briefing by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Moses Yamu, the commissioner listed exhibits recovered from the suspects to include one red unregistered Jianshe motorcycle, three locally made pistols, and three cartridges.

Others are one 7.62mm live ammunition, two car stereos, one Army camouflage uniform, one white beret, two charms, some wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and one ford bus used in conveying some of the cultists.

Some of the suspects, while speaking with The Guardian, denied any involvement in cult activities, even as the police boss insisted that the police did its homework well before picking up those who were fingered in the cult clash.