The Anambra State Police Command has arrested six suspected cult members and recovered weapons and other incriminating items in different “stop and search” operations across the state.
In a statement on Sunday, the state police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspects were caught in separate incidents, and arms were confiscated.
According to Ikenga, police operatives from Anaku Divisional Headquarters intercepted eight men on a motorcycle at Anaku/Omor Junction. However, the suspects attempted to escape, but the police gave chase and arrested three of them.
“During a hot chase, three suspects—Okafor Chibike, Ekene Lucky Nwadigbu, and Godwin Osaz, all males and residents of Omor—were arrested, and arms hidden in a bag were recovered,” Ikenga said.
The recovered items included a locally made double-barrel gun, a locally made revolver pistol, a dagger, three Android phones, and four ATM cards. The police are still searching for the other suspects who fled the scene.
Ikenga revealed that preliminary investigations showed the suspects were members of the Aye Confraternity and were on their way to an initiation ceremony. One of their motorcycles was also seized.
In another incident at Eke Awgbu Junction on February 1, around 7:43 p.m., police officers from the Awgbu Divisional Headquarters stopped three young men in a tricycle during a security screening.
The suspects—Chidera Nwochia (20) from Amiri Orlu, Imo State, Chizurumu Elvis (23) from Mbano, Imo State, and Kosisochukwu Obiechina (21) from Agukwu Nri, Anambra State—were found in possession of a 7.62mm live ammunition, a black axe, a gallon of a suspected hard drug, a local pot, white and red clothes with NBM and the number 7 inscribed on them, as well as candles.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity and said they were heading to their initiation ground,” Ikenga added.
The police have taken custody of the tricycle used by the suspects and assured that all those arrested would be charged in court after investigations.
The command also urged the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
