Anambra Police arrest 13 suspects, raid criminal hideouts, recover guns, drugs, stolen vehicle
By Goodness Ndukuba, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has intensified its intelligence-led operations against criminal elements across the state, arresting 13 suspects in separate operations and recovering firearms, ammunition, charms, cult-related insignia, suspected illicit drugs, dangerous weapons and a stolen vehicle.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Command’s Public Relations Officer made the disclosure in a statement in Awka, saying the operations were carried out in different parts of the state as part of ongoing efforts to tackle cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
On Sept. 30, operatives of the Okpoko Division, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout around Coca-Cola Market, Okpoko, and arrested 20-year-old Somtochukwu Ezeibe.
According to him, one locally made double-barrel pistol, one live cartridge and charms were recovered from the suspect. A follow-up search of his residence also led to the recovery of a Vikings Confraternity beret and peak cap.
Preliminary investigation allegedly linked the suspect to cult-related activities. Ikenga said information obtained from him subsequently assisted operatives in identifying other persons allegedly connected to the group.
Consequently, on Oct. 5, operatives arrested eight additional suspects identified as 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.
Similarly, on Oct. 4, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, in collaboration with Agunechemba Vigilante, Onitsha Sector, arrested four suspects in connection with an alleged conspiracy and armed robbery.
The suspects were identified as Dennis Ngwu, Elvis Udo Effiong, Femi Adekoya and Chijioke Obinozie. Large quantities of suspected illicit substances were recovered from them.
Ikenga said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects were allegedly members of a six-man gang suspected of robbing shuttle bus operators at gunpoint and diverting company goods within Onitsha.
He added that the suspects made statements allegedly implicating themselves in the offences, including the diversion of goods valued at about ₦40 million.
Investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the alleged offences and identify other persons who may be connected to the activities.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), during an intelligence-led patrol on October 5, recovered an abandoned green Toyota Highlander at Ogidi.
Ikenga added that preliminary findings indicated that the vehicle was allegedly snatched from its owner at Ogidi Building Materials on Aug. 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 violent crimes across the state.
He further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing credible and timely information to the police, assuring that such information would be treated with appropriate confidentiality and acted upon professionally.
