16 yr old cultist paraded by soldiers

*I was initiated at the age of 11
   * I have butchered many rivals, but never killed

A 16-year-old junior secondary school three (JSS3) student, Ochuko Okpako, was yesterday paraded by the Joint Task Force in Effurun, Warri, Delta State, for alleged involvement in secret cult activities.

Okpako, who was arrested along with three of his cult members, was picked up by JTF operatives in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state when they were reportedly unleashing mayhem on members of rival cult group.

JTF sources said the gang the suspect were members of a cult gang which recently engaged him cannibalism by roasting and eating the body parts of a victim who was hacked to death with machete.

Ochuko, however denied involvement in that incident but confessed to our report that: "I am an Eiye member, we were arrested when we clash with some Bagga (Red Beret) members in a revenge mission.

Ochuko

"They had earlier scattered my mother's house and I had to mobilize my members and attack them back," he added.

He told our reporter that he joined the Eiye Confraternity at the age of 11 when he was a  primary four pupil of Agbarho Model Primary School, adding that he was 'blended'  in the bush by leaders of the cult who initiated him by asking him to drink an admixture of wine and other concoctions.

"They (cult leaders) told me during the initiation that I would be popular and would have a lot of fans and that if anything happens to me, if anybody dares me they would 'get my back'," he added.

The suspect, who said he had taken part in the attacks of many rivals, said they were balmed (fortified) with various charms during operations.

Ochuko and other alleged members of the cult

 

Speaking with our reporter after the parade, Commander, 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army and head of the Warri Sector of JTF, Lt. Colonel I. Otu, regretted that Ochuku and others arrested during the raid were youths who should be putting their times to use that would improve their future and better the society.

The Army top brass also paraded a 41-year-old old man, who was allegedly arrested while escaping with a nine-year-old kidnap victim, Master Ogheneobruke Gbogbo, at Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect, Mr. John Panama, reportedly hijacked the child and was fleeing away when the child's father stumbled on the scene and rescued his child.

Panama however told newsmen that he took the child because he thought he was his friend's son, adding that he never meant to abscond with.