The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of eight suspects involved in various crimes, including kidnapping, cultism, illegal possession of firearms, and armed robbery.
In a terse statement, the command’s spokesperson, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, announced that officers also seized a long gun, a locally made Beretta, ammunition, and a suspected stolen vehicle during the operation.
Ikenga reported that two suspects (names withheld) “were apprehended in their criminal hideout in Nnewi as part of an ongoing investigation into the kidnapping of a victim who was reported on August 19, 2024, in Ihiala. The suspects admitted their involvement in the crime and have provided valuable information to assist the police.
“Additionally, police-led joint security operatives from Aguata Base, acting on credible intelligence, raided a hideout of suspected vandals in the early hours of September 12, 2024, arresting five males—Okorie Miracle, Joshua Ifeanyi Ekwa, Aneke Okorie, Mmesoma Faithful, and Chukwuzekwu Mba—ages 20 to 26, all from Umunze. Authorities recovered locally made shotguns as well as vandalized electricity cable wires and tools used in the crime. The suspects confessed to their involvement and are currently cooperating with the police to identify other gang members and buyers of the stolen items.
“Furthermore, operatives from the Special Anti-Cultism Squad (SPACS) were conducting a patrol on September 13, 2024, when they stopped Chigozie Ejikeme, a 25-year-old native of Abagana, who was acting suspiciously in an attempt to evade a security check. Upon searching him, they discovered a locally made Beretta pistol and one live 9mm round concealed on his waist. During interrogation, Ejikeme admitted to being a member of the Black Axe Secret Cult. The vehicle he was driving, a black Lexus, was also recovered.”
Ikenga confirmed that all suspects will be charged in court once the investigation concludes.
