Police foil cult initiation, arrest many suspects in Rivers forest
Thirteen Suspected Cultists Arrested During Initiation Ceremony in Rivers State
RIVERS STATE, Nigeria — Security operatives have arrested 13 individuals suspected of cult membership during an initiation ceremony in the Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The arrests occurred in a forest between Alode and Onne in the early hours of Sunday. An eyewitness, who identified himself as Lene, disclosed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that approximately 100 young men had gathered for the initiation ritual when police arrived.
According to Lene, many participants fled deeper into the forest upon noticing the approaching security forces. “However, over 13 of them were apprehended at the scene, while others escaped,” he stated. Lene identified the group as members of the Aiye Confraternity, commonly referred to as Black Axe, and noted that such initiation ceremonies are often held in remote areas to reinforce territorial control.
Rivers State Police Command spokesperson ASP Blessing Agabe confirmed the arrests, stating, “Yes, I can confirm the arrests. Investigation has commenced.” She did not provide additional details regarding the operation.
Cult-related activities have been a continuing security issue in various parts of the state. On Saturday, a coalition including the Police, Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps launched a joint operation aimed at addressing rising incidents of kidnapping, cultism, and other violent crimes in the region.
