Police arrest 54 suspected drug dealers, recover bags of hemps in Anambra

The Anambra Police Command has arrested fifty-four suspected hard drug dealers in the state.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Command’s Headquarters in Amawbia on Monday. He stated that the arrests were carried out by the State Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS), Enugwu, during separate raid operations across the state.

Ikenga noted that the fifty-four suspects comprise 39 males and 15 females.

He added that during the raids, operatives recovered a large quantity of hard drugs, mostly hemp.

In his words, Ikenga said:
“Given the above, operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS), Enugwu-Ukwu, on 12th September 2025, while on aggressive manhunt and patrol for cultists, arrested one male suspect, Chiderah Obochi, aged 25, at Ifitedunu along the Old Onitsha/Awka Road. The suspect, who was on a motorcycle, was searched, and some quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from him.

“Upon interrogation, he confessed to being a drug runner in Umudioka Village, Dunukofia LGA. He thereafter led the team to the house of one Ginika Okeke in Umudioka Village. Although the suspect was not at home, 11 bags containing a large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) were recovered from the house.

“The recovered substances will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further necessary action. The Command is also working on credible intelligence to identify and apprehend drug dealers supplying these harmful substances.

“Furthermore, in the late hours of 14th September 2025, Command operatives raided a black spot at Ogidi, Idemili North LGA, following credible intelligence that cultists routinely gathered there to plan nefarious activities. During the operation, fifty-four suspects were arrested, comprising 39 males and 15 females.

“Recall that some time ago, the Command arrested a young lady who conspired with her boyfriend to stage her own kidnapping, extorting N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira) from her parents after initially demanding N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira). Similarly, another case of a self-orchestrated kidnapping was uncovered, where a couple collected a ransom of One Million Naira from the girl’s parents after the amount was reduced from Ten Million to Three Million Naira.

“These incidents, along with the resurgence of cult-related activities—such as the indiscriminate shooting by suspected cultists at a burial ceremony in Ezi-Ogidi, Ogidi, Idemili North LGA, which resulted in four deaths and fifteen serious injuries—highlight the growing menace of these worrisome issues.

“The Command condemns these acts in the strongest terms, describing them as unacceptable, and attributes the trend partly to declining parental supervision and poor guidance over children and wards.

“Meanwhile, operatives of the Command have intensified surveillance, patrols, and intelligence-gathering operations to nip such incidents in the bud.

“In addition, the Command has strategized by adopting both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. These include inviting individuals suspected of association with cult groups for questioning, as well as conducting targeted raids on drug hideouts. The abuse of hard drugs remains a major factor that emboldens youths to commit heinous crimes.

“The suspects are currently undergoing screening and profiling, after which those found culpable will be charged to court.

“On behalf of the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, the Command reassures Ndi Anambra of its unwavering commitment to restoring sanity, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that the state remains safe for all law-abiding residents,” the PPRO concluded.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE