No fewer than 28 suspected teenage cultists operating in public secondary schools in Asaba, the Delta State capital and four notorious kidnappers in the state have been arrested.

The suspected cultists, between the ages of 13 and 16, were nabbed during school hours, following intelligence reports from members of the public.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Zanna Ibrahim, said in Asaba that the teenage secret cult group was known as the ‘Future Trigger Boys’.

According to him, 10 out of the 28 suspects were students of Osadenis Grammar School, Asaba.

The CP said, “They call themselves the ‘Future Trigger Boys’. We were able to arrest these ones, while many others are still on the run.

“These are children, who were sent to school to study but regrettably, they form cult group to terrorise their fellow students and the entire school. Since we arrested them, many of their parents have been on our neck.

“The police are still investigating the activities of the group and the ringleaders who are currently on the run, would be apprehended,” Ibrahim added, urging members of the public to continuously avail the command with valuable information that would help the Police checkmate all forms of crimes in the society.

Also at the weekend, as part of the measures put in place to stem the tide of criminalities in the “ember” months, the Delta State Police Command has arrested four suspected kidnappers for attempting to kidnap one Okpore Michael “m’ and his girlfriend in Asaba, the Delta State Capital.

A statement signed by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Zanna Ibrahim gave the names of the suspects as Malachy Chikwado ‘m’, 28yrs old, of No. 10 Okocha Street, Cable Point, Asaba, John Obi ‘m’, 22yrs old, of No. 22 Femi-Okun Estate Lekki, Lagos, Osita Obiakwe ‘m’, 24yrs old, of Jarret Street, Ogbe-Ofu, Asaba and Ezeah Chinedu ‘m’, 36yrs old, of Uzowani, Igbueze L.G.A, Enugu State.

The statement said: “On 13/11/2016, at about 1710hrs, a five-man kidnap gang led by one Malachy Chikwado ‘m’ lured one Okpore Michael ‘m’ and his girlfriend to Dema Kitchen, Asaba. While there at Dema Kitchen, other members, one John Obi ‘m’ , Osita Obiakwe ‘m’, Ezeah Chinedu ‘m’ and two others now at large left their gang leader, Malachy Chikweado with their targeted victim and went to lie in wait for him in a bush around his house at Bonsac area Asaba. As the victim was returning home, the suspects came out and attempted to kidnap him into a Toyota car. The victim, however, raised the alarm which attracted people from the neighborhood, thereby forcing them to abandon their prey and escaped.”