THREE suspects were apprehended and are in police custody for practicing cult activities, says acting Police Commander for North Fly Command, Inspector Anjap Minata.
PPC Minata said the suspects would be formally arrested and charged for practicing cult activities as soon as police investigation is completed. The suspects have been practicing cult activities since year, 2021.
Mr Minata said a female and two male suspects (names withheld) were apprehended on Tuesday 05th November 2024 at Duminak village, Olsobip Rural Local Level Government (LLG), North Fly District in the Western Province. He said the suspects were taken to the Kiunga Police Station and detained them.
He said the suspects ages ranged from 40 to 50 years where the female cult leader is in her 50s whilst a male core founder and their accomplice are in 40s and 42 respectively.
Police alleged that in 2021, the female cult leader (name withheld), a mother of seven kids left her husband with kids and went to Duminak council ward purposely to practice cult activities in the pretext of preaching the word of God.
The suspects named their church as Community Churches Network Ministry
(CCN). The group led by the female cult leader and the male cult founder claimed to be operating as a church but instead began practicing cult activities causing division and disharmony among the village population.
Mr Minata said the cult activities reportedly involved the use of animal bones and human beings, stones, oil powder and other substances to worship and performing magic and deceitful acts.
“The cult activities have caused numerous fights in the village among the followers and non-followers which resulted in sustaining injuries and nearly causing deaths.
“Further investigation and monitoring have revealed the illegal nature of their actions go against the principles of natural law,” PPC said, adding that he said the surrounding communities are now coming forward with information to help police investigation.
He said police also checked the building used for worship and they discovered some bones for animals, human beings, and other substances used to do magic. The police officers have taken photographs, and the angry locals demolished the building under the police presence.
PPC Minata told locals to beware and careful of what kind of teaching preached by the individuals or who engaged in the preaching especially spiritual activities.
Mr Minata also thanked the community leaders and councilors for coming forward with information to police about the cult activities. He said as a result, police swiftly acted by bringing the suspects to the police station.
