Enugu police arrest two fraudsters who fleece the public by claiming to be native herbalists

MEN of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested two fraudsters who specialise in masquerading as herbalists to defraud unsuspecting members of the public by promising them cures to their ailments in exchange for money.

These two suspects identified as Akin Ogunsemi and Shina Fatola were said to be indigenes of Ijebu Igbo in Ogun State. Police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu, disclosed that the two men were apprehended at Ukwuoji, in the Emene area of Enugu, on May 1 by men of the Anti-Cult Unit.

Mr Amaraizu added that the arrest of the two suspects was based on intelligence concerning their activities. He explained that the duo specialised in masquerading as herbalists to swindle their unsuspecting victims and dispossess them of money and other valuables.

Items recovered from the suspects upon their arrest included some fake foreign currencies, charms and other suspected shrine materials. In another development, about 25 students suspected to be from various tertiary institutions in the southeast have been arrested during a cult initiation ceremony in Enugu.

The suspects, who were apprehended in Obeagu forest, in the Amechi, Awkunanaw area of Enugu, were said to be members of the Black Axe Confraternity. Mr Amaraizu, who said some artisans were also part of the group and among the items recovered from them were a single-barrelled pistol, a single-barrelled rifle, four live cartridges and six expended cartridges.