Police arrest suspected armed robbers, cultists in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two armed robbery suspects who have been terrorising parts of Awka, the state capital.

Police operatives from the Special Anti-Cult Unit in Enugwu Ukwu apprehended Chibuike Ozoekwem, a 22-year-old male, and Favour Patrick, a 19-year-old female, at an uncompleted building on Onwurah Street, Awka.

The arrests followed security measures implemented by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, to address complaints of phone and personal belongings theft from innocent road users along Club Road, Awka, also known as Abakaliki Street.

Confirming the arrests, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that the operatives recovered one pump-action gun, sixteen expended cartridges, a battle axe, and two suspected stolen phones from the suspects.

He also noted that a victim had identified one of the recovered phones, explaining that she was robbed at gunpoint by four armed men on March 13, 2025, along Club Road.

Ikenga further stated that police operatives have expanded their investigation and are working to apprehend additional gang members.

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He concluded by saying that all the suspects will be charged in court upon the completion of the investigation.

Additionally, on March 22, 2025, police operatives attached to the Obosi Division, while on an intelligence-led patrol along the Obosi/Nkpor Road, arrested one Kosiso Okonkwo ‘M’ and recovered one Beretta pistol.

The suspect confessed to being a member of the Aye Confraternity.

In another operation, police operatives attached to B Division, along with some Mobile Police officers from the 29 Squadron, intercepted a tricycle with registration number BBG 767 QH during a stop-and-search operation at 9:20 p.m. along the Enugu/Onitsha Expressway in Amansea. The tricycle was driven by one Augustine Okafor ‘M,’ who was wearing army camouflage trousers.

During interrogation, the suspect could not provide a satisfactory explanation, prompting the operatives to search him. They recovered one Beretta pistol, seven live rounds of ammunition, N15,600 in cash, substances suspected to be hard drugs, and charms.

Following this, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc, MNIPS, PhD, ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the Command Tactical Unit for a discreet investigation.

He further stated that Anambra police operatives are more motivated than ever and have been actively working to combat crime and ensure public safety in the state.

Meanwhile, a joint security team, in a coordinated operation on March 22, 2025, at 7:20 a.m., rescued three kidnap victims along the Onitsha/Owerri Expressway in Ozubulu. The victims, who had sustained various degrees of injuries inflicted by their captors, were rushed to the hospital by the security team. They are currently responding to treatment and will be debriefed by the police in due course.

Different security checkpoints across the state were put on alert after information about the abduction at Nkwelle-Ezunaka in Oyi Local Government Area was reported, leading to efforts for a possible rescue and arrest of the criminals.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Orutugu, while urging his operatives to intensify efforts toward the arrest of the criminals, assured the good people of Anambra of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property. He also reaffirmed the police’s sustained onslaught against crime to deny criminals the space to operate.

 

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE