At least, three cultists, including a traditional ruler, are said to have been arrested by joint community vigilante groups in the  early hours of Saturday at Igbodo in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State in connection with serial killings and criminal activities in the area. The Tide learnt that the suspects have since been handed over to Okehi police Division for interrogation.
Those arrested include the leader of a dreaded cult group, “Deebam” in Etche Local Government Area, Mr Mejube City, and another member of the gang, simply identified as Mr Okilo as well as the Ochimba of Umuine Igbodo Etche, Chief Allison Mejube, who is the father of the alleged gang leader of a cult group in the area for aiding and sponsorship of a cult group in the area.
Although, the police at Okehi declined comment on the arrest of the suspects, a top police officer in the area, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed to The Tide that the suspects are in their custody.
The source added that the police was intensifying efforts to establish whether the suspects are directly involved in the conspiracy and killing of innocent citizens in the area, adding that efforts are being made to track down more members of the fleeing cultists.
The source further revealed that while Mr Mejube City and his father the traditional ruler were arrested by the joint vigilante groups of Igbodo and Okehi I at Umuine Igbodo in the early hours of Saturday, Mr Okilo was said to have been apprehended at Aba, Abia State last Wednesday, where he was hiding from security operatives.
The Tide learnt that Igbodo and other communities in the local government area have become a haven for all forms of criminal activities which had almost led to near collapse of both social and economic activities in the area.
This, according to our source, prompted the present administration in the area led by Bar Reginald Ukuoma to explore proactive measures to contend with the challenging situation by establishing community vigilante groups as well as effective funding of the security agencies in the area.
The Tide also learnt that the cult boys had held sway for a long time and exhibited their supremacy and control of mercenaries in all the communities in Okehi clan, especially at Igbodo where they perpetrated all forms of criminal atrocities without challenge from any quarters.
When contacted on phone, the Chief Security Adviser (CSA) to Etche Local Government Council, Hon Obima Anebo while confirming the arrest, said over seven cultists have so far been arrested  by the community vigilantes since the onslaught against cultism by the local government council began in the area.
He said that the suspects arrested by the communities have been handed over to the police for further prosecution , adding that the arrest would not stop until all criminal elements in the area are fished out and prosecuted.
The Etche Local Government Area CSA called on various communities in the area, especially the youths to assist the present administration in the area to rid Etche communities of all forms of criminal elements whose stock in trade was to cause mayhem and distraction in the area.
When contacted on phone at the time of  filing this report, the state police public relations  officer (PPRO), DSP Angela Agabe said her phone has crashed and she could not reach the DPO in charge of Okehi Police Division, CSP Okwonu Allwell for briefing but promised to reach him, today.
“My brother, I have no number of any DPO on my phone as I am talking to you because my phone crashed over the weekend but I will reach him tomorrow Monday when I get to the office,” she said.