Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has banned celebration of any kind of secret cult related activities in the state on Sunday, the July 7, 2024, a day suspected to be the founder’s day of one of the Nigeria most violent secret cult groups known as Black Axe or Aye.
The Police Command in Rivers State has equally cautioned the public regarding potential cult-related activities across the country on July 7, 2024.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson of the command, disclosed in a statement in Port Harcourt on Saturday that a large number of Black Axe secret cult members were preparing to mark their Founder’s Day.
According to her, intelligence reports indicated that the secret cult intends to initiate innocent victims into their group and potentially engage in clashes with rival cults on the same day.
Anambra state Commissioner of Police few days ago during the shooting range training to enhance the shooting capability of police personnel, ordered the security operatives to be offensive against armed hoodlums.
According to news statement issued by the Police command spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, the police said; “following the information received over time of a group of criminally minded individuals, especially under the guise of the Cult Day planned celebration tomorrow 7th July 2024, an unholy event characterized by violence and bloodshed, the Police Command has advised such persons or groups to desist forthwith as the Police are saddled with the constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties will not allow such disgruntled elements to reverse several gains made by the Security agencies on tackling cult-related incidents and shall deal decisively with anyone found wanting in this regard.
The Command however reiterates that such event or any other related activities remains banned and shall not hesitate to invoke relevant laws especially the newly signed Anti-Cultism law of the State on anyone caught in cult/related activities or any act capable of undermining security in the State.
To this end, the Command warns hoteliers and proprietors of bars, and event/recreation centers to be cautious about such gatherings and their likes in their facilities as there will be consequences if found wanting.
Also, Parents and guardians are advised to warn their wards to be law-abiding and desist from any act that could cause a breach of peace in the State
The Police and Other Security Agencies remain resolute, committed, and dedicated to making the State safer and secure, at all times”.
In another earlier press statement, Tochukwu Ikenga stated that; “the Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam has charged Police Operatives to be on the offensive against armed hoodlums, following the commencement of training and retraining of personnel aimed at enhancing Operation efficiency, acquiring more skills in crime prevention strategies, and building courage and confidence in confronting armed hoodlums and responding to distress calls
The CP made this remark today 3/7/2024 as he led trainees to the shooting range and assessed the schedule of the ongoing training. He reiterates the Command commitment to improving public safety and enforcing law and order in the State.
To this end, the CP warns those who were misled to take to crime to retrace their steps as the Police and other Security Agencies will not allow some disgruntled elements to make life unbearable for the residents of the State”.
Meanwhile a facebook user has posted that the “Leadership of the Neo-Black Movement of Africa (NBM), a Pan-African Group, has distanced itself from any July 7 (77) celebration, falsely claimed in some quarters to be the group’s founding day anniversary.
The NBM in a statement released by its National Public Relations Officer, Ajibo Sam-Brown, on Monday, July 1, 2024, said that the Movement had no celebration nor anniversary known as July 7 (7/7), adding that those spreading the falsehood were not members of the NBM of Africa but imposters and charlatans.
According to the statement; “July 7th (7/7)” as acclaimed by the enemies of the NBM of Africa founding date is false and not recognised by the Pan-Africanist group.
NBM of Africa is an Organisation that has all its activities documented, promotes peace, and condemns in its entirety illegality”.
“And in the history of NBM of Africa, there is no place where July 7 was documented as founders day; hence it is a misnomer for any group of persons to ascribe NBM of Africa to that date, and also NBM of Africa is not Black Axe. NBM of Africa has no relationship with Black Axe, NBM of Africa disassociates itself from the name “Black Axe”.
It warned all its members across the world to be mindful of such gatherings which it said might come in the name of the NBM of Africa and report same to the security operatives.
“By this notice, all members of the Organization are succinctly warned to be wary and distance themselves from any gathering of such and should help report any gathering of such to the nearest police station,” it concluded”.
