Police arrest Black Axe members, killers of lawmaker, retired officer

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested 11 undergraduates of Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo State.

They were apprehended for alleged criminal conspiracy, cultism and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms.

Force Public Relations (FPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi paraded them at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

The suspects were arrested in July at different locations in Ekpoma following intelligence on the activities of cult groups.

Adejobi said they confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity, better known as Aye.

Two AK-47 rifles, three pump action shotguns, one locally made pistol and two AK47 magazines were recovered.

Others include 22 live rounds of AK47 ammunition, 17 rounds of K2 live ammunition and three live cartridges.

The PRO also announced that IRT operatives arrested four suspects in Bauchi over criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and kidnapping.

They were nabbed in June following intelligence on acts of a notorious bandit group operating within the State and its environs.

The spokesman said they had been involved in a number of abductions and armed robbery operations.

In August 2020, they allegedly killed Musa Mante, 58, a former member of Bauchi State House of Assembly.

They also kidnapped three family members of the late lawmaker when they attacked his residence.

Adejobi added that the gang also confessed to the murder of a retired police officer who served as the Divisional Police Officer in Tafawa Balewa.

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