Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Police in Anambra State have arrested seven for their involvement in cultism and armed robberies in the Awka metropolis of the state.
The operatives recovered weapons including a cut-sized double-barrel gun, one tricycle without a registration number, and some hard drugs.
The suspects are all males aged between 17 and 20. They are Chukwuemka Ozoekwe,18; Chidozie Anagor, 18; Chukwuemeka Oyeoka, 18; Ebuka Okoye, 17; Olisa Obi,19; Chidubem Nwakwu, 20; and Nwankwo Kosisochukwu whose age was not disclosed
Spokesperson of the Police command in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said Makuo Nwosu popularly known as ‘Baby’ and one other person whose name is yet to be identified have been declared wanted.
“Police attached to Special Anti-Cult Squad SPACS while on patrol at Unizik Junction intercepted all males and five occupants including the driver of a tricycle. Operatives in a bid to question them, the Occupants took to their heels while the others escaped, Chukwuemka Ozoekwe was arrested.
“Chukwuemeka later led the Police to their criminal den where Chidozie Anagor aged 18 years, and Chukwuemeka Oyeoka aged 18 years were arrested and the remaining two are still at large.
“Also during the raid operation in their harbor, the Operatives arrested Ebuka Okoye 17 years, Olisa Obi 19 years, Chidubem Nwakwu 20 years, and Nwankwo Kosisochukwu.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Vipers Cult group and they are one of the gangs terrorising Awka metropolis recently. The suspects also confessed that they were on a mission to rob the road users of their phones and personal belongings before the arrest.”
Following the arrests, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration and acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Fidelis Ogarabe, charged the Operatives to sustain the tempo of the fight against crime in the state.
He reassured that the confidence reposed in the Police and all the security agencies in the State would not be taken for granted and directed the suspects to be arraigned in court after the investigations.
