The Bauchi State Police Command apprehended four individuals suspected to be part of a cult group during an initiation ceremony held near Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Gubi Campus, according to a statement released by SP Mohammed Wakil, the command’s spokesperson, on Friday, September 8, 2023.

Authorities are currently making efforts to apprehend the remaining accomplices who managed to flee the scene.

The statement provided details about the suspects: Eric Nuhu, a 23-year-old 500-level student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi; Zaharaddeen Hassan, a 19-year-old ND student at Federal Polytechnic Bauchi; Felix John, a 24-year-old HND student at Federal Polytechnic Bauchi; and Daniel Masaka, a resident of Karu LGA in Nassarawa State.

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During questioning, the first and second suspects admitted to being invited by their classmate, Abbas Apeh, a 500-level student at ATBU Bauchi, and being initiated into the cult group on the midnight of September 2, 2023.

The third and fourth suspects confessed to being longstanding members of the cult group known as Black Axe and were invited by their fellow group members to participate in the initiation event for newcomers.

The ceremony occurred on the outskirts of Bauchi, opposite ATBU Gubi Campus, along Kano-Bauchi road.

Efforts are currently underway to capture the fleeing accomplices, and once apprehended, the suspects will face legal charges related to the established offenses.