The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered operatives to raid hideouts domiciled by cultists including hotels across the state.
The directive according to the police is aimed at preventing the event from holding to forwstall possible attacks and bloodbath by rival cult groups in any part of the state including campuses of tertiary institutions.
The command said it got information concerning a planned nationwide celebration of its founder’s day by a dreaded cult group ‘Neo-Black Movement’ also known as ‘Aye’ or ‘Black Axe’.
The Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Saturday and sent to newsmen.
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Iringe-Koko, said the event is meant to be observed in all states of the federation, especially in higher institutions of learning, adding the confraternity is notorious for killings on campuses, inter-cult clashes and excessive violent conduct and other criminal actions.
She further said the event may provoke a series of violent attacks and inter-cult clashes and related activitiee in and around tertiary institutions within the state.
The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command has received information about a nationwide celebration of the Neo-Black Movement scheduled for July 7, 2024. The confraternity, also known as Aiye or Black Axe, intends to have this event as a commemoration of their Founder’s Day.
“The event, code-named AIYE Day or 7/7 is meant to be observed in all states of the federation, especially in higher institutions of learning.
“The Command is aware of the antecedents of the Neo-Black movement, notorious for killings on campuses, inter-cult clashes and excessive violent conduct among other criminal actions.
“We estimate that the annual AIYE DAY celebration will likely be held in the cult group’s dens and strongholds, especially in tertiary campuses nationwide.
(PUNCH)