The Anambra State Police Command announced the arrest of seven individuals for cultism and armed robbery.
This was revealed in a press statement made on Saturday by the command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who also said it discovered a cut-size double-barreled rifle, one tricycle without a registration number, and some hard drugs.
Ikenga stated that police were looking for Makuo Nwuso, popularly known as “Baby,” as well as another suspect who was still on the run.
He stated that while on patrol at UNIZIK Junction in Awka, cops from the Special Anti-Cult Squad apprehended all males and five occupants of a tricycle, including the driver.
He said, “On 3/4/2024 at 10 p.m., the state police command arrested seven suspected cultists and armed robbers, recovered a cut-size double barrel gun, one tricycle without a reg number, and some hard drugs.
“The suspects include Chukwuemka Ozoekwe, 18 years old; Chidozie Anagor, 18 years old; Chukwuemeka Oyeoka, 18 years old; Ebuka Okoye, 17 years old; Olisa Obi, 19 years old; Chidubem Nwakwu, 20 years old; and Nwankwo Kosisochukwu, all males. Makuo Nwosu AKA Baby and one other person whose name is yet to be identified are wanted.
“Policemen attached to the Special Anti-Cult Squad, while on patrol at UNIZIK Junction, intercepted all males and five occupants, including the driver of a tricycle.”
He stated that the occupants fled while the others escaped, and Chukwuemka Ozoekwe was apprehended.
“One of the suspects, Chukwuemeka, later led the police to their criminal hideout, where Chidozie Anagor, aged 18 years, and Chukwuemeka Oyeoka, aged 18 years, were arrested, and the remaining two are still at large.
“Also, during the raid operation in their harbor, the operatives arrested Ebuka Okoye (17 years), Olisa Obi (19 years), Chidubem Nwakwu (20 years), and Nwankwo Kosisochukwu.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Vipers Cult group, and they are one of the gangs terrorizing Awka metropolis recently. The suspects also confessed that they were on a mission to rob the road users of their phones and personal belongings before the arrest,” he added.
Ikenga went on to say that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, as well as the acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Fidelis Ogarabe, had entrusted the operatives with keeping up the pace in the state’s crime battle.
