The students, who just concluded writing their Senior School Certificate Examination, conducted by the National Examination Council, were said to be members of a cult group identified as Junior Vikings.
They had gathered at a hotel in the metropolis located along old Enugu Road to be initiated into a senior group known as Senior Vikings when police swooped in on them following a tip-off.
During the initiation, the police stormed the venue leading to the arrest of over 15 of the students while the initiators flee.
The Police spokesperson in the state, Chris Anyanwu, said the initiators had dangerous items on them and added that the police have mounted a man-hunt to arrest the fleeing suspects.
He explained that the initiators who are members of the Senior Vikings mandated the graduating students who were dressed in white hats, red shirts and black trousers to be initiated into the senior team or be face difficulties in their lives.
Mr. Anyanwu who said he regrets that cult activities have increased in the state in the last few months, announced that the command will embark on sensitization campaign to various schools in the state to enlighten the students on the need to shun cultism.
He noted that if not checked, cultism can lead to violent crime like armed robbery and kidnapping, describing it as a societal problem.
The spokesperson revealed that the command has arrested a kingpin of a popular cult group in Ikwo local government area of the state, Premium Times reports.
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