The Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command, has declared one Samuel Phillip wanted over cult-related activities.
Speaking to newsmen, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Delta State Command, Asaba, stated that Samuel Phillip, a 21-year-old male from Mbiri community, in Ika Northeast Local Government Area, but resides in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, is wanted in connection with ongoing investigations into cult-related crimes.
According to the PPRO, anyone involved in cultism is liable to a minimum of seven years imprisonment, or more, if found guilty by a competent court of law.
He further revealed that Samuel Phillip has been evading arrest and urged the public to come forward with any useful information regarding his whereabouts. According to him, the police have a handsome reward for anyone with credible lead.
Further investigations by our correspondent reveal that Samuel Phillip, who was born and raised in Agbor, joined a cult group known as the Vikings Confraternity, also referred to as Aro Mate at a very young age. Sources claimed that, what initially appeared to be a brotherhood centered on support and friendship for Samuel Philip, later turned out to be a violent group engaged in deadly rivalries with other confraternities, particularly the Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM), also known as the Ayes.
Sources disclosed that as tensions between Aro Mate and the Ayes escalated, Samuel Phillip realized the dangerous and criminal path he had gotten involved in. He made efforts to withdraw from the confraternity, but was met with hostility. He was told he could never leave, as he had become too deeply involved and knew too much about the group and its members. According to insiders, he was threatened with death should he attempt to leave.
The tipping point came February 10, 2015, during a violent clash between the rival cults, resulting in multiple casualties. Shortly after, on March 20, 2015, members of the Neo Black Movement reportedly stormed Phillip’s residence in Agbor and stabbed him multiple times, leaving him for dead. He was later rescued by neighbors and rushed to the hospital, where he miraculously survived the attack.
Following the incident, threats on his life intensified. While the Vikings viewed him as a traitor, the Ayes saw him as a sworn enemy. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police also launched a manhunt, given his involvement in cult-related crimes, which are illegal under Nigerian law.
In fear for his life, Phillip relocated to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, but was soon recognized by both NBM and Vikings members, who continued to threaten him. Sources say they vowed to hunt him down wherever he went, claiming they had “eyes everywhere.”
At the time of filing this report, Samuel Phillip remains at large, and there are speculations that he may have fled the country in a bid to escape both the criminal justice system and the deadly grip of the cult underworld.
