Anambra Police, vigilance operatives nab 13 for criminal offences

Police operatives in separate joint operations with the Anambra state vigilance group have arrested 13 suspects over alleged involvement in several criminal offences.

The security operatives also recovered firearm, ammunition, charms, cult-related insignias, suspected illicit drugs, dangerous weapons and a stolen vehicle during the operations, spokesperson for Anambra Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed in a statement issued in Awka, on Tuesday.

According to him, the suspects were arrested in separate operations across the state.

The statement partly read, “On September 30, police operatives of Okpoko Division, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout around Coca-Cola Market, Okpoko, and arrested Somtochukwu Ezeibe, a 20-year-old male.”

He further stated that the operatives recovered  one locally-made double-barrel pistol, one live cartridge and charms from the suspect.

The police spokesman added that a follow-up search conducted at the suspect’s residence also led to the recovery of a Vikings Confraternity beret and peak cap.

He further stated that preliminary investigation revealed his alleged involvement in cult-related activities.

According to the statement, the suspect provided information that assisted the police in identifying other persons allegedly connected with the group.

“Consequently, on  October 5, operatives arrested eight additional suspects, namely Chinonso Njoku, Tochukwu Ogbonna, Chidiebere Anokwuru, Chidera Nwakpa, Nweke Chibuike, Somadina Otubo, Chibueze Ikechukwu and Obum James,” Ikenga added.

He stated that the suspects had since been transferred to the Anti-Cult Unit of the command for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He also explained that on  October 4, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, in collaboration with Agunechemba Vigilance Group, Onitsha Sector, caught four persons for alleged conspiracy and armed robbery.

He named the suspects as Dennis Ngwu, Elvis Effiong, Femi Adekoya and Chijioke Obinozie.

Ikenga stated that large quantities of suspected illicit substances were recovered from the suspects.

He added that preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects were alleged members of a six-member gang, accused of robbing shuttle bus operators at gunpoint and diverting company goods within Onitsha.

“The suspects reportedly made statements implicating themselves in the alleged offences, including the diversion of goods valued at approximately ₦40 million,” Ikenga explained.

He pointed out that investigation into the matter was ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged offences and identify other persons, who might be connected with the crimes.

The police spokesman added that  operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, during an intelligence-led patrol, on October 5,  recovered an abandoned green Toyota Highlander at Ogidi.

He said that preliminary findings indicated that the vehicle was allegedly snatched from its owner at Ogidi Building Material Market on August 16.

He quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Nnanna Ama, as reassuring residents that the command would sustain its intelligence-led operations against cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.