No fewer than 16 notorious cultists were over the weekend tracked down and arrested by the Anambra State Police Command in Awka, the state capital.
21 others, who are now on the run have also been declared wanted by the State Police Command.
The arrests came following a spate of cult killings that have left over 46 persons killed in the last three weeks.
The killings had sparked agony and condemnation from residents of the community, who have beckoned on the government and security agencies to nip the situation in the bud.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a decisive move to end the resurgent cult-related killings in Awka, operatives of the command immediately swung into action.
He said the arrested cultists who were nabbed during a series of intelligence-led manhunts have been detained on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye.
“The CP has vowed that cultists responsible for the spate of killings after the State Capital had enjoyed tranquility for an unbroken 6-month period must pay for their crimes.
“He has also charged the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS) to redouble its efforts and hunt down those who are still at large among the identified cultists.
“The Commissioner also called on Community and Religious leaders to speak out against the evil of cultism in the society,” Ikenga said in a conversation with our correspondent.
