Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha
Anambra State police command said it has arrested 63 suspected cultists and recovered some weapons in various parts of the state.
The cultists were arrested by police operatives attached to the Operations Puff-Adder in conjunction with Special Anti Cult unit (SPACS) at various locations within the state in continuation of its raids on their hideouts and black spots.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr. Haruna Mohammed, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said that out of the 63 suspected cultists arrested, 20 were screened out, 11 suspects were charged to court. 17 suspects were placed under police supervision for being under aged while 15 others were undergoing investigation.
According to him, “on the 15/07/2019, at Obosi/Awada axis, six suspected cultists were arrested. On the 16/07 /2019 at Ogbaru axis, six suspected cultists were arrested. On the 17/07/2019 at Ogidi/Ogunike axis, five suspected cultists were arrested. 0n the 18/07/2019 at Ihiala/Uli axis, 11 suspected cultists were arrested. On the 19/07/2019 at Awka/Ifite Awka axis, eight suspected cultists were arrested. On the 20/07/2019, at Nsugbe, 15 suspected cultists were arrested. On the 21/07/2019, at Oko, 12 suspected cultists were arrested.
“From all the raids carried out, a total number of 63 suspects have been arrested; 20 were screened out, 11 suspects were charged to court;17 suspects were placed under police supervision for being underaged while 15 others are undergoing investigation.
The PPRO said that exhibits recovered from the suspects included five improvised bunkers, five berets, two daggers, two axes and some quantities of dry leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa were recovered.
He further stated that the police arrested some cars and tricycles snatchers at Okpoko and Awka and recovered the vehicles.
“On the 24/7/2019 at about 02:30am, police detectives attached to Okpoko Division arrested one Ekene Offorka, aged 19 years and Ekene Ndidigwe ‘m’ aged 18 years both of Ezeagu in Enugu State.
The “suspects who specialise in stealing tricycles at night using high-technical knowledge of defusing any tricycle security stole a tricycle belonging to one Ekeson Pius ‘m’ of Udeaja Street, Okpoko on the 17/7/2019 and was later recovered.
Also “on the 25/7/2019 at about 02:am, following intelligence report, police detectives attached to B’ Division, Awka arrested one Chizoba Modelu, aged 25years of Obuno Ebenebe village in Awka North LGA.
The “suspect along with his accomplices now at large allegedly snatched at gunpoint a Toyota Avalon with Reg No KTU 885-AT from one Bar Anachusi John Uchenna. The car was recovered and the plate number already detached from the vehicle but the registration number was engraved on its glasses,” Mohammed stated.