Ndudi Anyim
No fewer than 13 suspects have been arrested by the Anambra State Police Command, for offences bothering on armed robbery, cultism, with three locally made guns recovered.
The Command in a review of its activities for the week, said nine suspected cultists were arrested while engaging in an initiation ceremony at an uncompleted building.
A statement by the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Mohammed, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), revealed that the suspects were members of the dreaded “PAYTON CONFRATERNITY”
Speaking on the many arrests, Mohammed said some of the suspects had also been involved in hijacking tricycles and motorcycles in the State.
He said: “On March 3, at about 2:20p.m., following intelligence report, police operatives attached to Ogbaru Division arrested one Chibueze Ani, aged 23, of Anibueze Village, Odekpe in Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA), and Ebuka Umegbolu, aged 25, of Abalauno Village in Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State.
“ Suspects specialised in stealing tricycles both in Anambra and Delta States. Exhibits recovered in their possessions include one tricycle with REG number NKK 848 QL allegedly stolen at Ukpor Street, Iyioma Odekpe .
“ On March 5, following a distress call of robbery operation around Nneyi Umueri in Anambra West LGA, police patrol team immediately dispatched to the scene, engaged the robbers and eventually arrested one Ejimofor Igbanugo, aged 22, of Umueze Anam and Ebuka Chiagbata, aged 20, of same address.
“ Exhibits recovered in their possessions include one revolver pistol and three live ammunitions. Consequently, following a report that some hoodlums were robbing people close to Ukpo junction, by Enugu – Onitsha Expressway, Police patrol team quickly rushed to the scene and dislodged the hoodlums who jettisoned the robbery operation abandoning one motorcycle and a locally made short gun with three live cartridges.
“ Exhibits recovered and effort is ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects in order to bring them to justice. In another development, following a credible intelligence report, police operatives attached to the Command Special Anti-Cult Unit raided an uncompleted three storey building in Awka and arrested nine suspected cultists including one Chinonso Mba, aged 25, a native of Ezira in Agwu LGA of Enugu State but reside at same uncompleted building with a locally made double barrel gun and two live cartridges. Other exhibits recovered in their possessions include one dagger, two knives, one machete, charms and some quantities of dry leaves suspected to be indian hemp.”
While stating that the suspects will be charged to court at the completions of investigation, the PPRO said the Commissioner of Police (CP) Monday Bala Kuryas has reassured the public that the Command under his watch will continue to pursue the criminals from all nooks and crannies in the State until they repent or relocate from the State.