The Taraba State Police Command has arrested an 18-year-old student over alleged cult-related activities after recovering a locally kept mini revolver from him at a school in Jalingo, the state capital.
The command's spokesperson, ASP Victor Mshelizah, disclosed in a statement that the arrest followed a report received by officers at the GRA Division from the management of Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau Institute for Koranic Memorization on July 14.
According to the police, the incident stemmed from a disagreement between two students within the institution.
Preliminary findings indicated that the suspect, identified as Usman A. Usman, the school's Senior Prefect and a native of Sansani in Gassol Local Government Area, was allegedly found with a mini revolver without ammunition during the altercation.
Police said the firearm was allegedly intended to intimidate another student involved in the dispute. Officers swiftly arrested the suspect and recovered the weapon as evidence.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly told investigators that he obtained the revolver from another student, Akilu Alhassan, who has since gone into hiding.
The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest Alhassan and other suspected cult members believed to be linked to the incident.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Morkwap Sebastian Dongshal, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation into the source of the firearm and the possible involvement of other suspects.
Dongshal reaffirmed the command's resolve to tackle cultism, illegal possession of firearms and other violent crimes. He also urged parents, school authorities, community leaders and members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities, assuring residents that the police would continue working to safeguard lives and property across the state.
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