Governor Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State (2nd right); outgoing state Commissioner of Police, AIG Usman Gwary; Special Adviser on Security, Mr Chikaodi Anambra and DCP Adeoye Finihan during the presentation of three refurbished Armoured Personnel Carriers to Anambra State Police Command at Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, Anambra State.
By Chimaobi Nwaiwu
Nnewi—Five suspected cultists were, weekend, killed while scores sustained various degrees of injuries during initiation at Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State.
Seven suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, which took place behind community secondary school, Obosi, when they were having their initiation in the wee hours of the fateful day.
The incident became public when the school’s security men informed the principal, Mrs. Ada Efobi, that a corpse was dumped close to the school gate when it was raining.
It was learned that the corpse was reportedly dumped by unidentified persons in a black SUV, who sped off when the security men were moving closer to know what was dumped.
Speaking with newsmen, the principal said when she got the information, “I, in turn, alerted the community chief security man, Mr. Arthur Ilongwo, who immediately informed the Obosi community and the Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Ibrahim Musa.”
Contacted, Musa confirmed the death of one and arrest of seven, adding that investigation was ongoing.
Meanwhile, the principal said with the concerted efforts of the local vigilance group, the corpse was deposited in a morgue after they had paid N1,500 for embalming.
It was gathered that the seven suspected cultists were arrested on a tip-off and on interrogation, they revealed that the corpse was dumped by them and others now at large.
A source informed that a new member died on the spot during initiation and the corpse taken from the initiation arena, while another died later in the hospital where he was taken for medical attention.
The would-be new members, some of who came from Oko and other communities for the initiation, were said to have been beaten to stupor, resulting in the death of another three after initiation.
Reacting, the traditional ruler of Obosi, HRM Igwe Chidubem Iweka, said: “When it dawned on me that hard drugs, such as cocaine, heroin and others, can be gotten in Obosi, I knew that cultists have taken over our community because they act based on the influence of the hard drugs.”
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