The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 13 suspects in separate intelligence-led operations targeting cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes across the state.
The operations, conducted between September 30 and October 5, 2026, also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, charms, suspected illicit drugs, cult-related insignia and a stolen Toyota Highlander SUV.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
According to him, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, working with the Agunechemba Vigilante, Onitsha Sector, arrested four suspects allegedly linked to a six-man gang accused of robbing shuttle bus operators at gunpoint and diverting company goods in Onitsha.
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 the suspects, while preliminary investigations allegedly indicated their involvement in the diversion of goods worth about ₦40 million.
The Command said investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the alleged offences and identify other members of the gang.
In another operation on September 30, operatives of the Okpoko Police Division, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout around Coca-Cola Market, Okpoko.
The operation led to the arrest of 20-year-old Somtochukwu Ezeibe, from whom police said they recovered a locally made double-barrel pistol, one live cartridge and charms.
A subsequent search of his residence allegedly led to the recovery of a Vikings Confraternity beret and a peak cap.
Police said preliminary investigations indicated that Ezeibe was allegedly involved in cult-related activities and that information obtained from him helped investigators identify other suspected members of the group.
Following the development, operatives arrested eight additional suspects on October 5.
They were identified as Chinonso Njoku, Tochukwu Ogbonna, Chidiebere Anokwuru, Chidera Nwakpa, Nweke Chibuike, Somadina Otubo, Chibueze Ikechukwu and Obum James.
The eight suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Cult Unit for further investigation and possible prosecution, according to the Command.
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 SUV at Ogidi.
Police said 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, said the Command would continue to intensify intelligence-led operations against cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with credible and timely information that could assist in preventing and solving crimes.
The CP assured members of the public that information provided to the police would be treated with appropriate confidentiality and acted upon professionally.
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