Police arrest 69 suspected cultists, others in Anambra

THE Anambra State police command said it has arrested a total of 69 suspected cultists and two other notorious criminals in various parts of the State.

The police spokesperson, SP Haruna Mohammed, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, said the arrests were made during coordinated raids by the Command Special Anti Cult unit (SPACS) in conjunction with operation Puff Adder on criminal hideouts.

According to him, 12 of them were arrested in Omor, 7 in Nteje, 8 in Igbariam, 11 in Nnewi, 7 in Ogidi, 2 at Ebenebe while 22 were nabbed in Obosi/Awada/Nkpor/Ezinifite axis of the state.

Meanwhile, out of the 69 suspects arrested. 22 were screened out, 22 suspects charged to Court. 10 suspects were placed under police supervision for being underaged while 15 others are under investigation.

Similarly, One of the suspects, Osazua Austin ‘m’ aged 27years of Oba in Idemili North LGA and a notorious member of the black axe was arrested in possession of a double barrel locally made pistol and is assisting the Police with useful information that will lead to the arrest of other members, across the state.

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Meanwhile, in the statement, the PPRO said On the 28/5/2019 at about 2:45 pm, following intelligence report, Police detectives attached to Ogidi Division arrested one Leonard Aghano ‘m’ aged 27 years of Ekwulu village Umuoji at Akuzor Nkpor in Idemili North LGA of the State.

According to him, the suspect has been on the Police wanted list in relation to cases of armed robbery and other heinous crimes. A Super Honda cub 90 motorcycles with registration number JJT312 QY robbed from one Ndubuisi lbegbu ‘m’ of Ire village Umuoji on 7/12/2018 and an iPhone robbed from Barr Obiora Nweze ‘m’ on 23/3/2019 including two matches and a big hammer were recovered from him as exhibits.

He also disclosed that on the 26/5/2019 at about 10:36 am, Police operatives attached to Federal highway patrol along Oba road intercepted a commercial bus and after search was conducted on the occupants, one Emmanuel Okonkwo aged 24years of Otoucha in Anambra East LGA, was found to be in possession of a cut to size double barrel gun with two life ammunition.

And that the suspect is assisting the Police with useful information that could help arrest his accomplices and bring them to Justice.

He said both cases are under investigation and effort is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplices and bring them to Justice.