The Enugu State Police Command has recorded significant breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on violent crime, announcing the arrest of four male suspects involved in armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms, and cultism.
The operations, conducted in various parts of Enugu state, also led to the recovery of arms, ammunition, and other incriminating exhibits.
According to a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the arrests were made during intelligence-driven operations carried out by tactical squads of the command in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch Group.
“In furtherance of the ongoing strategic and proactive crackdown on unrepentant criminals, operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested four male suspects for conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and cultism,” the statement read.
The first operation, carried out by the Command’s Crack Tactical Squad and the Neighbourhood Watch Group on June 22 at about 11:30 a.m., led to the arrest of two suspects: Esomchi Ugwu (26) and Kosisochukwu Ukwuani (19) at Enugu-Ngwo, Udi Local Government Area.
The operatives recovered a single-barrelled pistol, a cut-to-size gun, and four live cartridges from the suspects, who reportedly confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity.
In a separate raid by the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad on the same day at about 3:45 a.m., a locally made single-barrelled pistol, one live 7.62mm calibre ammunition, and four live cartridges were recovered. The items had been hidden inside a cooking pot by Ogbodo Friday Onyekachi, who fled his residence in Ndiaga-Ugwuaji, Enugu South LGA upon seeing the operatives.
The fleeing suspect is linked to an earlier arrest of Izuchukwu Anyanwu Gabriel (alias “Onye-Amuma”, 26), who is already in custody and cooperating with ongoing investigations into cult-related activities and illegal arms possession.
In a third operation, officers from the New Haven Division responded to a distress call on June 23 at about 4:00 a.m., recovering a VL-Light Electronic Gas Igniter shaped like a firearm. The device, which had been used to intimidate victims during criminal activities, was abandoned by fleeing suspects. Efforts to track down and apprehend the culprits are ongoing.
Commending the swift action of his officers, Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, praised their dedication and urged continued vigilance.
“Operatives must sustain the momentum and intensify efforts in proactively combating crime across the State,” he said.
The police command also called on the public to continue supporting law enforcement through timely and credible information that will aid efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
Ndukwe added that the suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
