Anambra Police Arrest 13 Over Cultism, Armed Robbery, Recover Guns, Drugs, Stolen SUV
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 13 suspects in separate intelligence-led operations targeting alleged cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes, recovering firearms, ammunition, charms, suspected illicit drugs, cult-related insignia and a stolen Toyota Highlander SUV.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Tuesday, the arrests and recoveries followed intelligence-led operations conducted between September 30 and October 5, 2026, across different parts of the state.
The Command said that, in one of the major operations, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, in collaboration with Agunechemba Vigilante, Onitsha Sector, arrested four suspects allegedly linked to a six-man gang suspected of robbing shuttle bus operators at gunpoint and diverting company goods within Onitsha.
The suspects were identified as Dennis Ngwu, Elvis Udo Effiong, Femi Adekoya and Chijioke Obinozie.
According to the statement, the police recovered large quantities of suspected illicit substances from the suspects.
The Command said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly made statements implicating themselves in the offences, including the alleged diversion of goods valued at approximately ₦40 million.
It added that investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged crimes and identify other persons suspected to be connected with the gang.
In a separate operation on September 30, operatives of the Okpoko Police Division, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout around Coca-Cola Market, Okpoko, where they arrested 20-year-old Somtochukwu Ezeibe.
The police said one locally made double-barrel pistol, one live cartridge and charms were recovered from him.
The statement further disclosed that a subsequent search of his residence led to the recovery of a Vikings Confraternity beret and a peak cap.
According to the Command, preliminary investigations indicated the suspect’s alleged involvement in cult-related activities.
The Command added that information provided by the suspect assisted investigators in identifying other persons allegedly connected with the group.
“Following the development, police operatives on October 5 arrested eight additional suspects 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.” it added.
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.
According to the police, 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 sustain its 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, assuring members of the public that such information would be treated with appropriate confidentiality and acted upon professionally.
