The Anambra State Police Command has arrested seven suspected cultists allegedly being groomed for election-related thuggery ahead of the November 8, 2025, governorship election in the state.
The suspects were apprehended during an initiation ceremony in a bush at Obinagu, Abagana, in Njikoka Local Government Area.
Police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement on Sunday that operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS), Enugu-Ukwu, working with Agunechemba Vigilante operatives, carried out the raid in the early hours of Sunday.
Recovered items at the scene included a 25-litre keg containing a red liquid substance, ritual cloths, two wooden drums, and footwear belonging to the suspects and their accomplices.
Those arrested were identified as Ugorji Emmanuel (29), Ogamba Chinuike Anthony (22), Chibuzor Agudiegu (25), Destiny Okasi (22), Udewulu Nzube (19), Ifeanyi Anikpe (21), and Sunday Akuma (20).
Ikenga said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects, believed to be members of the Black Axe confraternity, were undergoing initiation as part of their grooming for election thuggery in Njikoka and Anaocha local government areas.
He added that the suspects attempted to flee on sighting the operatives but were apprehended after a brief chase.
The Police Command said investigations were ongoing to track fleeing members of the group and identify other cult cells operating within the axis.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, warned that the Command would not tolerate any act capable of disrupting public peace ahead of the election, urging parents and community leaders to guide youths away from cultism and political violence.
In a separate operation, police also arrested a notorious suspected cultist and political thug identified as Onyeaka Odogwu, also known as “Red Angel”, aged 29.
The suspect was arrested on October 24 following an intelligence-led operation by SPACS operatives in Enugu-Ukwu.
Two pump-action guns, two double-barrel guns, three live cartridges, red ritual cloths, and regalia bearing cult insignia were recovered during the operation.
Ikenga said the suspect confessed to being a member of the Vikings confraternity and was linked to several cases of political thuggery.
He later led police operatives to the group’s armoury in Omor, where more weapons were recovered.
CP Orutugu reiterated the Command’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful and credible election, vowing to deal decisively with cultists, armed gangs, and political thugs.
He appealed to the public to continue providing credible information to help security agencies combat criminal activities in the state.