THE Benue State Police Command on Thursday arraigned eith youths for unlawful cult activities and for the possession of dangerous weaponds, before a Makurdi magistrate court.
According to police prosecutor, Mr Collins Terfa, the accused include Hussaini Adams, Godday Adeyi, Mustapha Usman, Umar Abubakar, Audu Adah, Samuel Aduh, Chijioke Awoh and Ibrahim Musa.
Mr. Terfa said that in February, one Insp. Timothy Alfa and four others on night patrol received a distress call from one Asom Kase that some youths who belonged to a society were in a forest near River Benue holding clandestine meeting.
He said that when the officers arrived at the scene of the incident, the youths ran away, adding that they were able to arrest eight of them while one was still at large.
“The officers found axes, three charms, five hand rings, one holy rosary chaplet, coloured handkerchief and empty knife cover in the forest.
“During investigation, the police discovered that the group had earlier attacked Olegbole village, an Island on River Benue and inflicted a deep cut on one Ishaii Sule, who is still receiving treatment at the hospital.”
Terfa said that the offences contravened Sections 97 Sub-Section 245 of the 1999 Penal Code of Benue as amended.
The Magistrate, Theresa Shija, adjourned the case to Nov. 6 for hearing.