From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha
Anambra State police operatives have arrested 16 cultists and declared 21 others wanted following the recent menace of cult-related activities and killings in Awka capital city.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderemi Adeoye, said the decisive move was to end the resurgent cult-related killings in Awka, Capital City of Anambra State, saying that police had tracked down and arrested no fewer than 16 notorious cultists involved in the mayhem.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement said that 21 others who were on the run had been declared wanted by the State Police Command.
He said that the arrested cultists who were nabbed during series of intelligence-led manhunt had been detained on the order of the Commissioner of Police.
The CP vowed that cultists responsible for the spate of killings after the State Capital had enjoyed tranquility for unbroken 6 months period must pay for their crimes.
He has also charged the Special Anti Cult Squad (SPACS) to redouble its effort and hunt down those who were 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.
Yahaya Bello: We returned school fees to preserve our integrity–American International School
The American International School, Abuja, on Saturday, provided additional information and context to clarify the issues around its decision to transfer the school fees paid by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Contrary to some media reports suggesting that the institution was still in the process of turning over the funds, the statement clarified that it had actually done so, as recently confirmed by the EFCC Chairman.
In a brief statement signed by Head of the School, Greg Hughes, the international co-educational institution, which was established in 1993, stated that “our compliance to remit these funds underscores our commitment to upholding institutional integrity and our respect for the national institutions of Nigeria”.
It explained further: “Upon learning that the school fees we accepted in good faith were, in fact, part of an ongoing case with the EFCC, we turned over these funds in compliance with this federal commission’s request.”
The statement did not name Bello directly but the reference to “a family with children enrolled at the school” was clear enough in the light of recent media reports.
Citing the subjudice status of the issue as a result of the ongoing case between the EFCC and Bello, the school averred that “we will refrain from making any further comments at this time.”