The Anambra State Police Command has arrested three suspected cultists, and recovered two locally made pistols, live ammunition, and one motorcycle, among others.
It was gathered that the suspects were among members of the Viking Confrantenity who had been involved in cult-related killings in Nkpor, Obosi community of the state.
They were also actively involved in the cult attack that led to the murder of one Chiemelie Udemba on December 1, 2022, and Ikenna Nwagbulu on December 14, 2022, in Obosi.
The state police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement on Friday, said the arrest of the suspects followed a potent and dynamic policing strategy put in place for quick response to the emergency by the Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng.
Ikenga added that the commissioner had ordered area commanders, divisional police officers, and commanders of tactical, operational units and formations to embark on aggressive crime-prevention and visibility patrols in their areas of responsibility.
He said, “In relentless efforts of the command operatives to take the battle to the door-step of the criminal elements who are bent on fomenting trouble and acts meant to cause tension in the state, the police operatives have burst three notorious cultists, recovered two locally made pistols, one ladies machine, one expanded cartridge, charms, face mask and substance suspected to be hard drugs.
“The operatives acting on credible intelligence, on 11/1/2023 by 5 am, burst into a criminal hideout in Nkpor Idemili North LGA.
“The suspects, Caleb Nwankwo ‘m’ aged 22year, Katchi Nwolisa ‘m’ aged 23years, and Okechukwu Freedom ‘m’ aged unknown, sighting the police, and in an attempt to escape the scene, started shooting indiscriminately.
“The police engaged the armed hoodlums in a gun duel, demobilised Okechukwu, and arrested the two others with gunshot wounds.
“They all confessed to being members of Viking Confrantenity and identified the late Okechukwu as their leader.
“The suspects also have been involved in the cult-related killings in Nkpor, Obosi, and were actively involved in the cult attack that led to the murder of Chimelie Udemba on 1/12/2022 and Ikenna Nwagbulu on 14/12/2022 all in Obosi.”
Ikenga added, “In another development, the operatives responding to distress calls on 11/1/2023 by 10:30 am along little hood estate, Obosi recovered one locally made pistol, one expanded cartridge, and one ladies’ motorcycle.
“The suspects, sighting the police operatives abandon the recovered exhibits and took to their heels. Efforts are in top gear to arrest the assailants.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, have ordered the area commanders, divisional police officers, and commanders of tactical, operational units/formations to embark on aggressive crime-prevention and visibility patrols in their areas of responsibility.
“This plan shall enhance adequately already policing strategy put in place that is potently and dynamic to respond to any emergency, and security concerns and prevent untoward activities by criminal elements.”
