Enugu declares war on cultism as police ‘arrest 53 for kidnapping’

The Enugu government has declared war on cultism in the state due to rising cases of kidnapping and robbery.

This comes as the Enugu police command said it has arrested over 53 hoodlums, suspected to be members of secret cults, who are fuelling the spate of abduction in the state.

The police announced that the state is safe for business and investment, saying those planning to return for the Christmas celebration should have nothing to fear.

Kanayo Uzuegbu, the commissioner of police in Enugu, gave the assurance during a briefing on Tuesday.

Uzaegbu described most of the alleged kidnapping incidents reported on social media as fake news sponsored by mischief makers.

He said they “exaggerate and blow cases of nighttime abduction and carjacking, most of which were not recent occurrences, out of proportion” in order to create tension and fear in the minds of residents.

Uzuegbu said the primary aim of the fake news peddlers was to sabotage the productive efforts the government, police and other security agencies were making to combat existing and emerging crimes in the state.

The police commissioner, however, stated that some of the pockets of security breaches at night were abductions rather than kidnappings — and that the acts were perpetrated by secret cultists.

He added that the anti-cultism unit of the command had been mobilised and placed on alert to go after the cultists and flush them out of the state.

Uzuegbu disclosed that Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, has backed him to “ruthlessly deal with and rid the state of unrepentant cultists and their criminal activities”, assuring that the directive would be executed to the letter.

“It is on that note that I crave your indulgence to use this opportunity to once again thank the governor for all the support his administration has been giving to the police, and his commitment to enthrone a peaceful, safe, secured and economically prosperous Enugu state,” he said.

“With the Christmas and New Year festivities around the corner, I want to assure the good people of the state, especially those that will be coming back to celebrate the season with their loved ones, of adequate security.”

Some of the items recovered from the hoodlums included 28 firearms, 30 live ammunition, 66 live cartridges, 25 motor vehicles, 16 motorcycles, mobile phones, cash, military uniforms, among others.