By Austin Ogwuda
ASABA — THIRTY-TWO suspected cultists have been arrested while on their way to an initiation ceremony, even as a 38-year-old petrol station owner was kidnapped near the Central Bank of Nigeria premises in Asaba.

State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Charles Muka, who confirmed the two incidents said investigations were in progress.

The patrol station owner whose name was given as Maxwell Obiajulu was shot on the leg before he was forcefully taken away by his abductors from his petrol station known as Obilinks Petroleum along Benin-Asaba highway near the Central Bank of Nigeria. He was kidnapped on last Wednesday at about 7:30p.m.

According to PPRO Muka, “the kidnappers demanded N70 million from the wife on October 7, and had since refused calling the family and had switched off their phone.

He added that “the kidnappers who fired sporadically to scare people and prevent resistance shot the victim on the leg before taking him away. He said available information had revealed the gang members and efforts were on to rescue the victim and arrest the hoodlums”.

On the arrest of the cultists, the police spokesman said that the thirty-two suspects were rounded up following a tip off.

“Based on information that cult members were going to Abbi town for initiation party,  surveillance and patrol team were positioned at Otoro Abraka and thirty two suspected cultists belonging to Buccaneer confraternity were arrested”, said PPRO Muka.