The Enugu State Police Command has arrested 13 male suspects in connection with armed robbery, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms during multiple operations conducted across July.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said the arrests were carried out by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad.
Ndukwe disclosed that at about 3:40 a.m. on July 30, officers stormed Oyofo-Oghe in Ezeagu Local Government Area, acting on confessions made by a 35-year-old suspect, Ekene Akpata, also known as “Odumodu.”
The operation led to the arrest of three suspects — Ebuka Odinko, 35; Chiemerie Amano, 25; and Onyebuchi Onyekwere, 24 — alleged to be members of the Vikings Confraternity involved in a series of armed robberies.
Further investigations, based on information provided by 65-year-old Okechukwu Ogbonna from Abia State and 52-year-old Ezeonuji Charles from Anambra State, prompted another tactical operation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, between July 23 and 28.
Two suspects, Udofia Richard, 43, of Akwa Ibom State, and Richard Arinzechukwu Nwaomu, 32, from Imo State, were arrested.
The police recovered two vehicles: a red Toyota Camry XLE with registration number YEN 221 AG, and an ash-coloured Kia Soul with registration number PHC 845 AE.
In another development, three suspected cult members linked to the Black Axe Confraternity — Stephen Chidiebere (aka Shaggy), 42; Arinze Udeh (aka Anonymous), 30; and Onuigbo Kingsley, 49 — were arrested in Umuasi Ngwo, Udi LGA, on July 21. A locally fabricated cut-to-size double-barrelled gun was recovered during the operation, which followed the earlier arrest of one Ikemefuna Ani (aka Majority), 31.
Additionally, on July 15, a 30-year-old suspect, Ifeanyi Ede, was arrested by operatives of the Ogui Divisional Command and the Neighbourhood Watch Group. He was apprehended with a pistol-shaped object later identified as a Spark-L electronic gas lighter.
Police alleged that Ede and his accomplices, who are still at large, used the fake firearm to rob a taxi driver of ₦30,000, a mobile phone worth ₦17,000, vehicle keys, and an ATM card.
DSP Ndukwe confirmed that all suspects are in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.