In order to stem the tide of cultism and other nefarious activities in the State, Anambra State Police Command Special Anti-cult Unit (SPACS) had, between 16th July till date, under review, raided various hideouts where suspected cultists hibernate and arrested some of the syndicates.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Haruna Mohammed, who disclosed this to journalists, informed that on the 21st of this month, at about 5:am following a tip off, Police operatives attached to the Command Special Anti-cult Unit, arrested one Somtochukwu Onyebuchi aged 20 years of Uru village, Ogidi in Idemili North Council Area of Anambra State.
The PPRO said the suspect who has been on the Police wanted list, also specialises in initiating teenagers or under-aged children into secret cults.
He added that preliminary investigation led to the arrest of his accomplices earlier initiated into Junior Vikings Secret Cult Confraternity (JVC) namely Okoliechukwu Elozanam, aged 16 years and Precious Nmamdi Joseph, aged 15 years.
According to the report, all the suspects have voluntarily confessed, while investigation is ongoing, after which they would be brought to book.
Haruna also revealed that on the 23rd of this month, at 2:30am following actionable intelligence, the Command Special Anti-cult unit (SPACS) arrested a member of Ayes Confraternity, one Chibuike Nwagozie, aged 21 years from Nnewi town.
He said the suspect led the police operatives to their hideout at Umudim Nnewi in Nnewi North Local Government, where five other gang members were arrested.
He said investigation is ongoing after which suspects would be brought to book.
Giving further details on the arrests, the PPRO explained that from 16th of this month till date, the 103 suspects arrested throughout the State as follows,
On the 16th of this month at Ogidi axis, 18 suspected cultists were arrested.
On the 17th at Amawbia /Ekwulobia/Nanka axis, 18 suspected cultists were arrested.
0n the 18th at Oba/Nkpor/ Igbariam axis, 9 suspected cultists were arrested.
On the 19th at Oko/Oraifite axis , 19 suspected cultists were arrested.
On the 20th , at Ogbunike , 22 suspected cultists arrested.
On the 21st, at Agulu/Awka axis, 10 suspected cultists were arrested.
On the 22nd at Abba/Abagana axis, 04 suspected cultists were arrested.
And On the 23rd of this month, at oyeagu axis, 3 suspected cultists were also arrested.
The PPRO pointed out that from all the raids carried out so far, a total of 103 suspects were arrested, out of which 30 suspects were screened out and released unconditionally, 20 suspects charged to court, 28 were placed under police supervision for being under aged, while 25 suspects are undergoing investigation.
According to him, exhibits recovered from the suspects were 4 pump action guns, 1 double barrel gun, 20 expended cartridges,10 Live cartridges, 11 machetes , 4 improvised bunkers for inhaling substances suspected to be cocaine, two Chickens and one slaughtered goat for sacrifice, as well as 95 wraps of weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa.
The Commissioner of Police, CP John Abang, thanked “Ndi Anambra” for providing the Command with actionable intelligence and reassured the public of adequate protection.
The CP further made a clarion call on all Ndi Anambra and residents alike, to report any suspicious persons or movements to the nearest Police Station or call police emergency number 07039194332 for prompt response.
