Police arrest six suspected cultists with arms in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested six suspects for various offences at different “stop and search” operations at separate checkpoints across the state.

In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesman, Superintendent of Police Tochukwu Ikenga, said various arms, weapons and other incriminating items were recovered from the suspects during the exercise.

Ikenga added that police operatives attached to Anaku Divisional Headquarters, while on “stop and search” at Anaku/Omor Junction, intercepted eight suspects riding on a motorcycle.

He said the suspects fled the scene in the process of searching, but the police chased and arrested three of the suspects, and arms concealed in a bag were confiscated.

The statement read, “Given the Improved Operational Positioning placed by the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam, the State Police Command on February 2, 2025, has six suspects in custody from separate stop-and-search operations in the State.

“Also recovered were one locally made double barrel gun, one locally made revolver pistol, one 7.62mm live ammunition, one metal axe, one Q-Link motorcycle with Reg No. JRV 760 QH, a gallon of substance suspected to be a hard drug, local pot, white and red cloth with NBM and Number 7 inscription on it. Others include some pieces of red and white clothes, candles, three Android phones, and four ATM Cards.

“Police operatives attached to Anaku Divisional Headquarters, while on stop and search at Anaku/Omor Junction today February 2, 2025, by 8am intercepted eight suspects riding on a motorcycle. The suspects took to their heels in the process of searching by the operatives.

“However, during a hot chase by the Police team, three of the suspects Okafor Chibike, Ekene Lucky Nwadigbu, and Godwin Osaz all males and residents of Omor were arrested and arms concealed in a bag were confiscated.

“The items recovered include: one locally made double barrel gun, one locally made revolver pistol, one dagger, three Android phones, and four ATM cards. The Police team is currently combing the area for possible arrest of the other fleeing gang members.”

According to Ikenga, preliminary information revealed that the suspects are members of the Aye Confraternity and were en route to their den for initiation.

Also, one of their motorcycles was recovered and brought to the Police station.

“Earlier in a similar development at Eke Awgbu junction on February 1, 2025 by 7.43pm, Police operatives attached to the Awgbu Divisional headquarters who were on security screening operations, intercepted three suspects namely: Chidera Nwochia ‘M’ aged 20 years old from Amiri Orlu, Imo State, Chizurumu Elvis ‘M’ aged 23 years old from Mbano Imo State and Kosisochukwu Obiechina ‘M’ 21 years old from Agukwu Nri, Anambra State in a tricycle.

“During the search one 7.62mm live ammunition, one black axe, a gallon of substance suspected to be a hard drug, a local pot, white and red cloth with NBM and number 7 inscription on it, some pieces of red and white clothes and candle.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity and were en route to their initiation ground. The Police also recovered the tricycle which was conveying the suspects to the venue of their initiation.

“All the suspects shall be charged to court on the conclusion of the investigations,” he added.