Release of cultists from custody escalates cult killings in Anambra – Police

The Anambra Police Command said the resurgence of cult-related killings in Awka, the state capital is due to the release of some suspected suspects from custody.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, said this in an interview with newsmen in Awka on Monday.

no fewer than five persons were killed on Easter day while a yet-to-be ascertained number were gunned down in different locations in the town on Sunday.

While reacting to recent killings in the town, Aderemi said the command was reaching out to the judiciary to find out why and how the cult suspects were released.

He said the command had not received any report on the alleged killings on Sunday and urged anybody with information on the incidents to help the police with it.

He said the command had emplaced and maintained a security architecture which ensured that Awka did not witness cult-related killing for about six months.

“We do not have a report of the Sunday killings. It is speculation and we cannot comment on speculation.

“Cult killings stopped for about six months and the resurgence we had over the Easter weekend was traced to the release of cultists who were remanded in custody.

“I have already reached out to the Attorney General to find out how those people managed to regain their freedom, promising to take it up with the judiciary,” he said.