The Anambra State Police Command has neutralised a 21-year-old suspected armed robber and notorious cultist, identified as Chukwuka Solomon, during a security operation in the state.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Command’s Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad in Enugu-Ukwu carried out the operation in the early hours of Monday at the suspect’s hideout in Amikwo community, Awka South Local Government Area.
“The suspect had attempted to escape during Police search operations in their den at Amikwo. During the search, one pump-action gun, two locally made pistols and some expanded ammunition were recovered,” Ikenga stated.
The suspect was initially arrested through community efforts by residents of Amikwo and handed over to the police team for further investigation based on reports that he was a notorious cultist terrorising the community with firearms.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as ‘Baggars’, and admitted to having operational weapons belonging to the confraternity,” the spokesman added.
Solomon further disclosed that he works for a notorious individual popularly known as “Aza Man,” alleged to be involved in criminal activities disturbing the peace of Awka and its environs.
Ikenga noted that operatives successfully repelled an ambush attack by other gang members during the search operation, with blood evidence at the scene indicating that some armed hoodlums escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries.
“Meanwhile, the operatives are currently working on some leads given by the suspect to arrest the gang leader and other members,” Ikenga said.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reiterated the Command’s commitment to combating cultism, armed robbery, and other violent crimes in the state.
