Police arrest ‘cultist on wanted list’ with pistol in Imo

The police command in Imo says its operatives have arrested a suspected cultist in the state.

Henry Okoye, the spokesperson of the command, said suspect, Paul Munachi, had been on the wanted list of the police for his notoriety in cult activities in the state.

Okoye said the 26-year-old suspect confessed to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity.

He said the cultist acquired a gun from a dealer in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, to avenge the death of his elder brother who was killed by members of the Baga confraternity.

“The eagle-eyed operatives of the Command’s Anti-Narcotics Squad on 28/02/2024, while on intelligence-led raid of a suspected cultist’ hideout at Umuguma in Owerri West LGA of Imo, apprehended, a notorious cultist named Paul Munachi ‘m’ 26yrs, of Oforola in Owerri West LGA, who is famous on the Command’s wanted list due to his nefarious activities and recovered one locally made pistol with three rounds of live cartridges in his possession,” NAN quoted Okoye as saying.

“On interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity and stated that he bought the gun from a dealer in Port Harcourt to avenge the death of his brother who was killed by members of the BAGA confraternity. 

“He also confessed to some violent crimes he perpetrated alongside his cohorts in Imo.”

Okoye said an investigation is ongoing, adding that efforts have been intensified to arrest other members on the run and the manufacturer of the locally-made gun. 

He said the suspect will be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.