Abakaliki – Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi has called the Director of Department of State Security (DSS) and Nigeria police force to immediately arrest and arraign the pepertrators of the recent cult clash in Afikpo South Council Area of the State.

Umahi who was displeased by the incessant attacks and during the on air COVID-19 weekly briefing at New Governor’s Office ordered for the fishing out of those behind the dastardly act and prosecute them according to the law of the land.

Governor Umahi further explained that he had warned against the activities of Cultism in the state despite the status of those involved and warned that irrespective of how highly placed the perpetrators are should be fished out to serve as deterrent to others.

He stressed that he would not fold his hands to watch Ebonyians die like chicken, as he noted that, there would be no room for any hideout for those involved in the Killings.

“I have asked the DSS and the Police to arrest anybody, politicians or political office holders who in one way or the other involved themselves or have a link with cult activities. Enough is enough to God- fatherism without implementation of actions. Whether those behind the sponsorship are my friends, sons, supporters, whoever! No one is an exemption if found guilty”.

Governor Umahi further revealed that his administration had ended the protracted cult clash among Ohaukwu youth and charged stakeholders at Afikpo South to rise to the call to end Cultism in the area.

However, the Afikpo South Council Chairman,Hon.(Barr) Eni Uduma Chima condemned the cult activities leading to the death of one Mr. Onu Ukpai Chima (A.K.A. Deck) in Owutu Edda on 3rd May 2020 noting that with the assistance of security team those allegedly behind the killing have been arrested while calling the people to remain law abiding.

According to him, “Owutu Edda for the past two weeks have been enmeshed in cult related violence with those identified as Black Axe Confraternity which Hon.Chidi Ejem allegedly leads with the Coordinator of Edda North DC, Pius Ogbonnaya Okorie., and have been on rampage fighting rival Cult members called “Bobos or Dee gbam “.

” I’m yet to find out what their contentions are, meanwhile, our Neighborhood Watch boys and Anti-Covid 19 Task Force members were also targeted and attacked while on duty and some even while at home”.

“I’ve consistently tackled the problem by arresting some of them with the D.P.O and his men. I even sent S.O.S to the Commissioner for Internal Security and through the Coordinator of Edda East Development Centre compiled the list of the people involved in the violence which I submitted,” he explained

“I also involved the C.P and called for reinforcement from headquarters which he granted but around 9:00p.m yesterday evening, one John Ibiam, a. k.a ” John Shine my shoe” younger brother of Hon. Chidi Ejem’s P.A and a member of the Black Axe, shot and killed one Onu Chima Ukpai, a.k.a as Deck, said to be a member of “Dee Gbam” Confraternity”.

“Last night I joined the Police Anti-Kidnapping squad to raid a total of five hide outs and made arrests of some of those fingered in the killings.

“Unfortunately, early this morning, another killing occurred. One Raphael Chijioke, a male adult, was killed by the cousin of the one who died on Sunday (Late Onu Ukpai Chima) whose name was simply given as Ukaegbu and claimed to had gone on revenge mission as according to my findings was not in any of the cult groups.

“But I’ve arrested the culprit and he is not denying his actions before handing him over to the police.

The Council Chairman, however, called on Town Union Executives of the hotspots of these cult activities and hideouts to rise to the occasion and join the Law Enforcement Agencies in the search for the cultists who are said to have been at large but still within Owutu and environs.

He further called on members of the community to be calm and volunteer useful information that could lead to the whereabouts of the cultists who are now on the run.