This was contained in a statement released by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, in Ibadan, the state capital.

Recall that the movement celebrates its yearly founder’s day every July 7. This year’s celebration is billed for tomorrow, Monday, July 7, 2025.

Osifeso said, “Our intelligence-led policing and community partnership efforts have yielded vital information suggesting that rival gangs may engage in large-scale retribution and mayhem during this event.

“To ensure swift response and maintain order, arrangements have been concluded for the deployment of police officers across strategic locations within the state during this period.”

He stressed that the command has conducted multiple sensitisation sessions with key stakeholders, including hoteliers, lounge owners, and operators of studio apartments, as part of its proactive security measures.

The PPRO warned them against making their facilities available for hosting gatherings associated with cult groups known for violent activities.

“Our intelligence suggests that the movement may use the occasion to execute plans that could lead to serious public disorder, including reprisals against rival cult groups,” he added.

Osifeso, therefore, called on parents, guardians, community leaders, and influential figures to collaborate with law enforcement in mitigating these risks.

“It is crucial to engage our youth in conversations about the dangers of cultism and the severe consequences of participating in violent or unlawful gatherings,” he advised.

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The command’s spokesman, Henry Okoye, who made this information available to newsmen, said the suspects, identified as Uche Ibejiako, 26, from Owerri Municipal; Mariano Daniel, 24, from Delta State; Michael Chukwuemeka, 23, from Umuokwu Izombe in Oguta Local Government Area; and Annointing Ezeh, 23, from Umugada Irete in Owerri West LGA, were arrested following a strategic operation designed to combat cult-related activities within the state.

Okoye stated that all four suspects have confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity, a known criminal group. He said an ongoing investigation to gather further evidence on their activities has started and the suspects will be charged in court upon completion of  thorough investigation.

The state Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, urged the public to continue supporting their efforts to combat crime by reporting suspicious activities to the nearest police station, adding that such combined efforts are crucial in maintaining peace and security across the state.

Recall, on July 27, 2024, the state command also arrested a suspected cultist, Chibueze Kalu, and recovered one locally made pistol from the 25-year-old.

Kalu confessed to being a member of the Black Axe Confraternity.

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