The Anambra State Police Command has apprehended six individuals suspected of engaging in criminal activities during separate stop-and-search operations across the state.
Police spokesperson, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Sunday, February 2, 2025, highlighting the recovery of various arms, weapons, and other incriminating items.
Ikenga disclosed that officers from the Anaku Divisional Headquarters intercepted a group of eight individuals on motorcycles at the Anaku/Omor Junction. However, upon being stopped for a search, the suspects attempted to escape.
“The operatives gave them a hot chase and successfully arrested three suspects, identified as Okafor Chibike, Ekene Lucky Nwadigbu, and Godwin Osaz, all residents of Omor. During the operation, arms concealed in a bag were seized,” he said.
Among the recovered items were a locally made double-barrel gun, a revolver pistol, a dagger, three Android phones, and four ATM cards. One of the suspects’ motorcycles was also impounded.
According to Ikenga, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are affiliated with the Aye Confraternity and were en route to an initiation ceremony.
In a separate operation at Eke Awgbu Junction on February 1, 2025, officers from the Awgbu Divisional Headquarters intercepted another group of three suspects in a tricycle.
“The suspects, identified as 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 with a live 7.62mm ammunition, a black axe, a gallon of suspected hard drugs, a local pot, and pieces of red and white clothing with cult-related inscriptions,” Ikenga stated.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity and admitted they were heading to an initiation ground. The police also seized the tricycle used to transport them.
“All six suspects remain in custody and will face charges upon the conclusion of the investigation,” Ikenga confirmed.
The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam, has reiterated the command’s commitment to intensifying security operations to curb cult-related violence and other criminal activities in the state.
