On Monday, the Benue State Police Command announced the arrest of three people suspected of cult activities in Gboko town, News About Nigeria reports.
The arrests were made in response to intelligence reports about a planned ‘Aye Cultism Day celebration’ on Sunday, July 7, 2024.
Local youths, in collaboration with security personnel, took to the streets to prevent the celebration and initiation of new cult members.
The Aye cult, known for its belief in mystical powers, had allegedly planned various activities to mark the occasion, including the induction of new members.
A local source, Jiji Jack, reported that volunteer youths teamed up with the police to identify and apprehend the suspects.
“Some volunteer youths based in the traditional seat of Tiv nation, Gboko, joined forces with the security Joint Task Force to stop the planned celebrations of the worldwide cultism day, being 7/7/2024,” Jack stated.
He noted that they moved from street to street to disperse suspicious gatherings.
A youth leader in Gboko, who preferred to remain anonymous, explained the motivation behind their actions.
“We mobilised our members to comb the streets of Gboko and fish out suspected cultists to avert anything that could disrupt the peace in the ancient town,” the leader said.
He said they wanted to prevent the violence and bloodshed often associated with such cult activities.
“We passed the information to security men, and we joined hands with them. Anywhere we found a gathering of youths, we dispersed them,” the youth leader added.
The leader called for peace and urged youths to avoid negative and violent tendencies.
Confirming the arrests, the state police public relations officer, Catherine Anene, said, “Three suspects were arrested in Gboko, and the investigation is ongoing.”
