The Anambra State Police Command has arrested six suspects for various offences, including illegal arms possession, cult-related activities, and drug-related crimes, during stop-and-search operations across the state.
The arrests were confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga. He stated that the police recovered multiple firearms, ammunition, weapons, and other incriminating materials during the operations.
Arrests at Anaku/Omor Junction
On February 2, 2025, police operatives from Anaku Divisional Headquarters intercepted eight suspects riding a motorcycle at Anaku/Omor Junction. Upon being searched, the suspects attempted to flee, prompting officers to chase and arrest three of them.
The arrested suspects include:
- Okafor Chibike
- Ekene Lucky Nwadigbu
- Godwin Osaz
Recovered Items
During the operation, police confiscated:
- One locally made double-barrel gun
- One locally made revolver pistol
- One dagger
- Three Android phones
- Four ATM cards
Further investigations revealed that the suspects are members of the Aye Confraternity and were en route to their cult initiation den.
Arrests at Eke Awgbu Junction
A separate operation was conducted on February 1, 2025, at Eke Awgbu Junction by police operatives from Awgbu Divisional Headquarters. During a routine security screening, they intercepted three suspects inside a tricycle.
The arrested suspects include:
- Chidera Nwochia (20 years old, from Amiri Orlu, Imo State)
- Chizurumu Elvis (23 years old, from Mbano, Imo State)
- Kosisochukwu Obiechina (21 years old, from Agukwu Nri, Anambra State)
Items Recovered from the Suspects
The police seized:
- One 7.62mm live ammunition
- One black axe
- A gallon of a substance suspected to be a hard drug
- A local pot
- White and red cultist attire with "NBM" and the number 7 inscription
- Several candles used for rituals
Confession and Ongoing Investigations
During interrogation, the suspects admitted to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity and were heading to their cult initiation venue. The tricycle used for their transport was also confiscated.
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed that all six suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Police Commissioner’s Warning
The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, has reaffirmed the command’s commitment to cracking down on crime, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
This series of arrests highlights Anambra’s ongoing efforts to combat cultism, illegal firearms possession, and drug-related crimes, reinforcing the police’s zero-tolerance policy on crime in the state.
