The Italian Police Force known as Polizia di Stato in an operation dubbed “Pesha” have arrested 15 Nigerians suspected to be members of the ‘Eiye’ confraternity.
The members of the gang were alleged to have been running a protitution ring as well as being involved in huge money laundering, amongst other crimes.
In a released statement, the Italian Police Force said members of the ‘Eiye’ cult, which had roots in Nigeria, have a series of international contacts in France, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, and other European countries.
The police were reported to have received a tip-off from a disgruntled member of the group who was brutalised after violating some of the codes of the cult.
The Operation Pesha officers were thus deployed to the suspects’ hideout and coven where they arrested 15 of them while four others are at large.
The Polizia di Stato stated that “The number of crimes committed by this cult group is huge. The crimes range from money laundering and illegal financial transfers to Nigeria; to trafficking in young women for prostitution, oftentimes subjecting them to violence and harassment; drug supply and violent crimes against members of other groups amongst other crimes.”
The Police said the suspects have been detained at its headquarters in Teramo and would be prosecuted.
