Police Arrest 11 Suspected Cultists for Invading Anambra Hotel with Charms, Dangerous Weapons

Eleven suspected cultists were arrested on Monday for their alleged invasion of Las Vegas Hotels Limited in Ihembosi, Anambra State, with charms and dangerous weapons. The arrests were made by operatives of Zone 13 Zonal Police Headquarters in Ukpo, following a petition from the hotel’s proprietor, Chief Omenife Emeka Onwuatu. The suspects reportedly terrorized the owners, staff, and guests at the hotel, threatening to kill anyone who resisted them.

According to Chief Onwuatu, the suspects stormed the hotel premises with about 12 motorcycles, carrying charms, cudgels, cutlasses, axes, and other dangerous weapons. They chanted war songs and performed rituals in front of the hotel, causing significant fear and chaos. The incident led to guests quickly checking out and future bookings being canceled, resulting in substantial damage to the hotel’s reputation and business.

Chief Onwuatu, who is also the chairman of Ubahu village and an Israeli-based businessman, had previously warned the group to stop performing rituals near a local stream and relocate their shrine to a different location. The group, however, did not take kindly to his warnings, leading to the violent confrontation at the hotel.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 13, Godwin Aghaulor, confirmed the arrests and stated that a discreet investigation was underway to determine the suspects’ motives. Twelve other members of the suspected cult group remain on the run, and police are actively searching for them.

The hotel proprietor’s legal counsel, PJN Azubuike, filed a strongly worded petition detailing the incident and calling for police intervention. The petition outlined the threats, rituals, and other violent acts committed by the cultists. Despite pleas from the suspects’ legal counsel, Ibuchi Ewuzue, Esq., the police initially refused to grant bail, citing the serious nature of the allegations.

However, on Tuesday, the police released the suspects on bail after an intervention by the President General of Ihembosi Town Union, Professor Christopher Chukwuto Ihueze, who provided a written undertaking to resolve the matter amicably. He was granted three weeks to do so or return the released suspects for further legal action. The President General explained that he needed the time as he was preparing for a family funeral and assured the police that he would ensure a peaceful resolution.