The Anambra State Police Command has achieved significant milestones in crime prevention within the week, with the arrest of eight suspects involved in kidnapping, cultism, illegal possession of firearms, and armed robbery. Several weapons and a suspected stolen vehicle were also recovered during the operations.

In a major breakthrough, police operatives arrested two suspects in their criminal hideout in Nnewi. The suspects, whose names have been withheld, were apprehended following a technology-driven investigation into the kidnapping of a victim on August 19, 2024, in Ihiala. The suspects confessed to their involvement in the crime and are currently providing valuable information to aid the investigation.

Additionally, on September 12, 2024, joint security operatives based in Aguata, acting on credible intelligence, raided a criminal hideout of suspected vandals. The operatives arrested five suspects: Okorie Miracle, Joshua Ifeanyi Ekwa, Aneke Okorie, Mmesoma Faithful, and Chukwuzekwu Mba, all aged between 20 and 26, from Umunze. During the operation, the police recovered locally made short guns and vandalized electricity cables, along with tools used in the crime. The suspects have confessed and are assisting the police in efforts to apprehend other gang members and their buyers.

In a separate incident, the Special Anti-Cultism Squad (SPACS), while on patrol on September 13, 2024, accosted a suspect named Chigozie Ejikeme, 25, along the Nise/Agulu road. The suspect, a native of Abagana, was found in possession of a locally made Beretta pistol with one live 9mm round of ammunition hidden at his waist. During interrogation, Chigozie confessed to being a member of the Black Axe secret cult. The police also recovered the suspect’s black Lexus vehicle.

All suspects will be charged to court following the conclusion of the investigations.