Ndudi Anyim
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested seven robbery suspects, and eight dreaded cultists, wanted by the command for various heinous crimes.
A statement by the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Mohammed, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), revealed that the suspects were arrested by operatives following intelligence on their activities in different parts of the state.
Mohammed stated that four pump action rifles, one English made pistol, one locally made gun and eleven cartridges, were recovered.
Giving details on the arrest, the spokesperson said: “ Following an intelligence report, police operatives attached to Oko Division arrested one Blessing Uche Marcel Ukogu, aged about 25 years, of Akabor Village, Osunmeyi in Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State but resides at Abo-Dutse, Abuja.
“ The suspect allegedly stole a Toyota Corolla model 2005 from Abuja. Suspect and exhibit have been handed over to FCT Command for further investigation.
“ Also police operatives attached to 3-3 Division, in collaboration with the local vigilante group, arrested one Debele Chukwu Mbanugo, aged 20 years, of Nkwelle Ezunaka.
“ Exhibit recovered in his possession include one pump action rifle which he admitted to have stolen from 3-3 Police Station during the #ENDSARS protests.
“ Operation Puff Adder operatives, in conjunction with a patrol team attached to Otuocha Division, responded to a distress call around Igbariam and arrested one Paul Odowe, aged 29, from Ebonyi State.”
“ The suspect allegedly robbed a lady of her handset and other valuables at gunpoint. He voluntarily confessed and exhibits recovered in his possession include three phones, one pump action Rifle, one cartridge and one unregistered motorcycle used in perpetrating the act.”
He identified some of the arrested cultists as: Duru David, aged 22, Ugochukwu Meniru, aged 20, Nwaoba Chukwudi, aged 20, Kalu Chukwudi, aged 18, and Nyayelu Oputa, aged 18.
The PPRO added that the cultists were having their initiation, when police operatives attached to the Command Special Anti-Cult Unit, stormed their hideout and arrested them.
“ They all confessed to be members of Python Confraternity. The unit also arrested Okpoto Chukwudi, aged 20, Odo Arinze, aged 22, Eze Izuchukwu, aged 23, all natives of Izamgbo Town in Ohaumwu from various hideouts in the state.
“ Suspects voluntarily confessed to be members of Vikings Confraternity. Exhibits recovered in their possession include one axe and beret.
“ All cases are under investigation after which suspects will be charged to court for prosecution, ” he said.