Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Abia State command have smashed a group of suspected cultists located in Aba. The suspected cultist are identified as Valentine Obinna, 23 years old; Amadi Amaechi, 24 years; Okonkwo Pascal, 30 years; Dike Chizoba, 30 years; Prince Lucky Chukwu,25 years; Chimezie Kingsley, 24 years; Emmanuel Kanu, 21 years; and Nwanakwere Peter, 22 years.
Following a tip off, NDLEA operatives arrested them in a hotel room and recovered a pistol, rounds of live ammunition, 13 grammes of dried weeds found to be cannabis and shirts with the inscription, Welcome To Taliban Zone, from them.
The Abia state commander, Dele Akingbade while speaking on their arrest, said further investigations into their activities in the state is ongoing.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade commended the officers for the arrest and pledged to work assiduously towards promoting national security.
“This arrest further validates the fact that people take drugs for Dutch courage to perpetrate crimes. The Agency will continue to promote national security through intelligence-led operations. I also wish to commend the officers for the timely intervention and successful raid operation that nipped the illicit activities of the suspected cultists” Giade stated.
The NDLEA boss called on security agencies to collaborate in the war against crime and urged parents to inculcate discipline in their children. Members of the public were also advised to report suspected cases to security agencies.