Navy arrest two members of Avengers

• As Police Round Up 13 Suspected Cultists
• Two Feared Killed In Rival Cult War In Delta

The Nigerian Navy, Warri, Delta State, have arrested two active members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

Parading the suspects before newsmen, yesterday, the Commander, NNS Delta, Warri Naval Base, Commodore Joseph Dzunye, said the suspects were apprehended Thursday around Sapele area in Warri North Local Government Area.

According to him, the Avengers, whose names were given as Felix Miyenminiya, 53 and Stanley Jongha, 35, have been the brain behind the series of attacks on Chevron facilities between May and July this year.

“Besides, the hoodlums are also involved in pipeline vandalism and sea robbery,” he said. “However, nemesis caught up with them, when a team of Nigerian Navy, Sister Services and Security Agencies under operation Delta State swooped on the criminals.”

But when responding to questions from newsmen, Miyenminiya denied knowledge of the allegation, while Tongha insisted that Felix, who is his uncle, is neck deep in the illegal business.

He said: “My uncle (Felix) always sends us to the river with dynamite and bomb to do the damage to oil facilities and perpetrate other nefarious acts.”

Meanwhile, the police in Obiaruku Community, Ukwuani Local Government Area of the State, yesterday, arrested 13 suspected cultists allegedly involved in a rival cult war, which recently killed two persons in the area.

Sources said the suspects were immediately transferred to the police headquarters in Asaba, after they allegedly confessed to be members of the Eiye/Aye confraternities in the area.

The state police commissioner, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, while briefing journalists in Asaba, during the week, assured that cult related activities in Obiaruku would be curbed.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Uduelu, a member of the state advisory peace building, expressed concerns over the growing rate of cultism, especially at the grassroots level of the community and the state. She urged stakeholders to handle the problem with all the seriousness it deserves.