Police arrest two suspected cultists, rescue victims in Anambra

The operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested two persons suspected to be cultists and armed robbers, along with various weapons in their possession.

The suspects, Okechukwu Chinwuko, 27, and Ezenwa Chinedu, 22, were arrested by the operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Squad in Enugu-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.

A statement issued on Monday by the command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that the suspects were arrested on Saturday after a raid on a black spot in the area.

Ikenga said, “Police operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Squad Enugu-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State in the late hours of Saturday, December 7, 2024, acting on credible information, raided an identified black spot in Umunaga Village, Awka South LG.

During the operation, one Okechukwu Chinwuko (m) aged 27 years of Umunaga Village and Ezenwa Chinedu (m) 22 years of Umuneri Village were arrested. “Other incriminating objects recovered include one pump action gun, four live cartridges, cutlass, criminal charms and substances suspected to be hard drugs. The operatives also rescued two female victims who the suspects had forcibly abused sexually.

“The arrested suspects are currently undergoing interrogation on their modus operandi and further details shall be communicated in due course.”

Ikenga also added that the operatives in Igbo-Ukwu Divisional Police Headquarters, on Saturday, recovered one white Peugeot J5 Boxer bus with Reg No. AKL 896 XB, a roller, among other items.

He said the hoodlums, while vandalising a Lister model electricity generator attached to the MTN mast located opposite Saint Martin’s Catholic Church, Umudege, took to their heels and fled the scene on sighting the police team,

He noted that efforts have been activated to arrest the fleeing criminals, calling on residents of the area to assist the police with useful information in apprehending the fleeing suspects.