The Rivers State Police Command says it has received credible information concerning a planned nationwide celebration of a dreaded cult group known as ‘Neo-Black Movement’ ‘Aye’ or ‘Black Axe’.
Spokesperson of the command, Grace Koko in a statement said the state Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu has ordered operatives to raid hideouts of cultists including hotels across the state and ensure their arrest.
The directive according to Koko is aimed at preventing the event from holding to forestall outbreak of law and order.
Part of 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.
Also the ceremony may likely avail opportunities for counter-cult activities, inter-cult violence and other associated violent crimes in and around tertiary institutions within Rivers State. Furthermore, it might provide ample opportunity for the forced initiation of innocent victims and other acts such as rape and armed robbery.”
To this end the state police image maker said all tactical units, Divisional heads have been put on red alert to identify such spots, intercept the cultists and effect arrest to prevent any untoward incident.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu psc , has directed all Area Commanders, DPO’S and Tactical team commanders to carry out pre-emptive and response raids in all identified cult hideouts, blackspots and hotels that may be used as meeting points by the cult leaders, to ensure that the planned AIYE DAY celebration does not hold within their AORS, and that suspected cult members are arrested and made to face the law.”
We will not relent in dealing decisively with any person or group intent on disturbing the peace that we have assiduously worked to achieve, ”
