Cult War: Joint security team raid black spots in Sapele; Army vowed to fish out killers’ officers

Akpos Oghenetega,

A joint security task force on Monday raided black spots in Sapele, Delta State following the recent suspected cult killings in the town which has left no fewer than 10 youngmen dead in the past three months.

Men of the Nigeria Army, Navy, DSS, and Vigilante raided suspected black spots and hideouts in the town as part of efforts to curb crime, just as men of the Nigeria Army has vowed to fish out gunmen who shot a soldier and a police officer died last month in the Oton community of the town.

The raid which covered several parts of the town was said to have begun on Sunday night with the Land Component Commander, Major General Ibrahim Jallo mandating the sector 1 Commander in conjunction with the 19 Battalion of the Nigeria Army Koko, and other sisters security agencies to raid dark spots in Sapele and other community which was not disclosed by our source.

Accordingly the Monarch of Okpe kingdom, a retired General called on leaders in the town to support and allow the security agencies to carry out their work diligently without any interference, adding that the killing of innocent lives by cultists must stop.

READ ALSO:Sapele Cult War: Okowa’s Aide, Emarkpo, call for peace

A security source who craved anonymity told our correspondent that the Army, DSS, Police, Navy, Vigilante and others, swung into action raiding suspected black spots and houses of suspected criminals and recovering some catches of Ammunition and also locally made guns.

“We have resorted to take the battle to them and restore peace to the town and that is why we are doing this, and as I speak to you, we have recovered some ammunition from some of the arrested suspects,” the source said.

The security source also told our reporter that they are not to relenting in their efforts to recover guns said to be seized from a soldier and police that was killed last month at Oton Acesspoint, “we will not stop until we recover these arms and others should know that crime does not pay, if they say we won’t sleep, then they should be ready to fly at night”

It should be recalled that Sapele has been a hotbed of suspected cult-related activities, with the Special Assistant to the Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa on youth development, Okiemute Sowho shot dead in a broad daylight over a week ago.

While gunmen last month was said to have attacked a checkpoint killing a policeman and a soldier and carted away their guns.

Meanwhile, Residents of the town has commended security agencies for a prompt response to their outcry of insecurity in the town, Akpojotor Idolor, a petty trader along Okpe road said since the coming of the security forces, they can now sleep with their two eyes close, “we appreciate what the 19 Battalion of the Nigerian Army has done, Sapele was like a war zone and the past few days we can now sleep with our eyes closed” he said.

Anioma Blessing, a hairdresser along MacPherson road on her part, while commending the security agencies especially the Army, DSS and the Navy, said it was obvious that a sense of lasting peace has returned to the town, which has become a battle zone, “I hope they will continue this and God bless them.”