By Chizoba Njaka
The Anambra State Police Command has on Oct 5, intensified its intelligence-driven operations against criminal activities across the state, leading to the arrest of 13 suspects in separate operations and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, charms, cult-related insignia, suspected illicit substances, dangerous weapons and a stolen vehicle.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that operatives of the Okpoko Division, acting on credible intelligence on Sept. 30, 2026, raided a suspected criminal hideout around Coca-Cola Market, Okpoko, where they arrested a 20-year-old suspect, Somtochukwu Ezeibe.
According to him, the police recovered one locally made double-barrel pistol, one live cartridge and charms from the suspect. A subsequent search of his residence also led to the recovery of a Vikings Confraternity beret and peak cap.
Ikenga said preliminary investigations indicated the suspect’s alleged involvement in cult-related activities, adding that information obtained from him assisted the police in identifying other persons allegedly linked to the group.
Consequently, eight more suspects were arrested on October 5: Chinonso Njoku, Tochukwu Ogbonna, Chidiebere Anokwuru, Chidera Nwakpa, Nweke Chibuike, Somadina Otubo, Chibueze Ikechukwu and Obum James. The suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Cult Unit for further investigation and possible prosecution.
In a related development, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, working with Agunechemba Vigilante, Onitsha Sector, arrested four suspects on October 4 in connection with an alleged conspiracy and armed robbery.
The suspects were identified as Dennis Ngwu, Elvis Udo Effiong, Femi Adekoya and Chijioke Obinozie, with large quantities of suspected illicit substances reportedly recovered from them. Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are allegedly members of a six-man gang suspected of robbing shuttle bus operators at gunpoint and diverting company goods within Onitsha.
Police said the suspects reportedly made statements implicating themselves in the alleged offences, including the diversion of goods estimated at about N40 million. Investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged crimes and identify other persons who may be connected to the activities.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit recovered an abandoned green Toyota Highlander during an intelligence-led patrol at Ogidi on October 5. Preliminary findings showed that the vehicle was allegedly snatched from its owner at Ogidi Building Materials on August 16.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, reassured Ndi Anambra that the command would sustain its intelligence-led operations against cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime across the state. CP Oji Ama urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide the police with credible and timely information, assuring that such information would be handled with appropriate confidentiality and acted upon professionally.
Chizoba Njaka is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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