Posted by By Osaro Okhomina on
eight students suspected to be members of the Neo-Black Movement known as Black Axe and the Mafia Confraternity were, yesterday
BENIN CITY - eight students suspected to be members of the Neo-Black Movement known as Black Axe and the Mafia Confraternity were, yesterday, arrested and handed to the police by a special squad made up of Man-O-War group and the internal security operatives of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU).
The students were nabbed over their alleged involvement in last April's violent cult clash in the town which led to the killing of over 10 students of the institution and their alleged involvement in the recent aborted clash in the town.
The move by the squad, established a few months ago by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Daniel Agbonmian was triggered by the suspected movement of many suspected members of the Black Axe and the Mafia Confraternity into Ekpoma ahead of an alleged confrontation between the rival cult groups that has generated apprehension in the last few days.
Vanguard gathered that the squad responding to the security report on possible bloodshed within the university town embarked on a search of drinking spots and restaurant in the town. Though they met with initial resistance from the students who denied their involvement in any such plan, the squad however got the backing of the operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) and the Police and about 24 students suspected to be members of different cult groups were picked up in the town.
Contacted, the institution's Public Relations Officer, Dr Don Akhilomen yesterday assured that calm has returned to the institution after the arrest, "yes, it was true that they were apprehended by the combined team of Man-O-War and the internal security personnel of the institution. At a point there was rumour about a possible clash on campus and we have to take the bold step and check the plan. We have so far discovered that the other ones not yet identified have absconded from the town in fear of the squad put together by the school."
However, attempts to contact the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Peter Ogboi on the development failed as he was reported to be on an official assignment.