The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended a suspected cultist who has been impersonating a police inspector. The individual, Fred Monday, was paraded on Thursday by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu.
Providing details of the arrest, Disu recounted, “On August 9, 2024, around 11:45 p.m., operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) responded to intelligence regarding criminal activity in the Luegbo community, Khana Local Government Area.”
Upon reaching the location, the police discovered an ongoing cult initiation ceremony. Five individuals, later identified as students of Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic in Bori, were arrested. The suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Vikings confraternity. These students have since been charged in court and are currently being held in a correctional facility.
While arresting the cultists, officers encountered a man dressed in full police camouflage, displaying the rank of a police inspector. Disu explained that the man, armed with an AK-47 rifle, 10 magazines, and 29 rounds of live ammunition, was arrested on the spot.
Upon further interrogation, the suspect was identified as Fred Monday, a 31-year-old resident of F-man Close, Eneka Link Road, Port Harcourt. Monday admitted to being an impostor, revealing that he had purchased the rifle in 2021 for N850,000 from an accomplice named Goodluck, also known as Boy-J. Along with the rifle, Monday acquired 10 magazines, 31 rounds of ammunition, and two hand grenades from the same individual.
Monday confessed that he, along with other gang members, disguised themselves as police officers to escort criminals across various states, including Akwa Ibom, Edo, Delta, and Rivers. He further disclosed that he was a member of the Iceland cult group and had been involved in numerous crimes while posing as a policeman.
In addition to his role in the gang, Monday was also engaged in armed robbery. During the day, he worked as a tricycle (Keke) rider, scouting for potential victims, whom he would later attack at night.
The police commissioner noted that the investigation is ongoing, with the authorities getting closer to apprehending the remaining members of the gang.
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