The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 13 suspects in separate operations across the state, recovering firearms, ammunition, charms, cult-related insignias, suspected illicit drugs, dangerous weapons and a stolen vehicle.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
According to the statement, operatives of the Okpoko Division, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout around Coca-Cola Market, Okpoko, on September 30 and arrested a 20-year-old suspect, Somtochukwu Ezeibe.
Police said a locally made double-barrel pistol, one live cartridge and charms were recovered from Ezeibe. A subsequent search of his residence also led to the recovery of a Vikings Confraternity beret and peak cap.
The command said preliminary investigation indicated the suspect’s alleged involvement in cult-related activities. Information reportedly obtained from him subsequently assisted investigators in identifying other persons allegedly linked to the group.
Following the development, police operatives on October 5 arrested eight additional suspects identified as Chinonso Njoku, Tochukwu Ogbonna, Chidiebere Anokwuru, Chidera Nwakpa, Nweke Chibuike, Somadina Otubo, Chibueze Ikechukwu and Obum James.
The eight suspects have since been transferred to the Anti-Cult Unit for further investigation and possible prosecution.
In a separate operation, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, working with Agunechemba Vigilante, Onitsha Sector, arrested four suspects on October 4 over alleged conspiracy and armed robbery.
The suspects were identified as Dennis Ngwu, Elvis Udo Effiong, Femi Adekoya and Chijioke Obinozie.
Police said large quantities of suspected illicit substances were recovered from them.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects were allegedly members of a six-man gang suspected of robbing shuttle bus operators at gunpoint and diverting company goods within Onitsha.
According to the command, the suspects allegedly made statements implicating themselves in the offences, including the diversion of goods reportedly valued at about ₦40 million.
The police said investigation was ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged offences and identify other persons who may be connected to the activities.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), during an intelligence-led patrol on October 5, recovered an abandoned green Toyota Highlander at Ogidi.
Preliminary findings indicated that the vehicle was allegedly snatched from its owner at Ogidi Building Materials on August 16, 2026.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, reassured residents that the command would sustain its intelligence-led operations against cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing credible and timely information to the police.
The Commissioner assured residents that information supplied to the police would be treated with appropriate confidentiality and acted upon professionally.
