Police detain 20 suspects for cultism, recover hard drugs, incriminating exhibits in Enugu
The Police Command in Enugu State has detained 20 suspects for cultism, recovered hard drugs and other incriminating exhibits in seperate operations in the state.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Wednesday in Enugu.
Ndukwe said that the command sustained its intelligence-led offensive against cultism, drug trafficking, and other violent crimes, recording significant operational successes in separate operations conducted between July 7 and July 14.
He said that on July 14, at about 12noon, operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on credible intelligence, stormed Banana Estate, Independence Layout in Enugu.
Ndukwe noted that suspected cultists operating with motorcycles and a tricycle were reportedly terrorising residents of the estate, robbing unsuspecting members of the public, vandalising property, and peddling suspected hard drugs.
He said, “The operation led to the arrest of two male suspects: Ogbodo Chebe, 40, a suspected member of the Abashie Confraternity and an alleged youth Leader, and Oguma Onyebuchi, 27.
“Quantities of substance suspected to be “Colos” were recovered from them, while others took to flight abandoning eight motorcycles of different brands, and one tricycle, which were also recovered.”
He said that in a different operation on July 7, at 8a.m., the same operatives, while on crime prevention patrol, raided identified criminal hideouts and black spots at Emene and Eke Obinagu areas of Enugu.
Ndukwe said that operatives detained James Mba, 35; Nonso Ani, 31, Ike Nnana, 27, Isaac Nnamani, 19; Onyenaturuchi Ede, 21, and Michael Ozoemena, 28.
“Recovered from the suspects were large quantities of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, methamphetamine (“Mkpụrụ-mmiri”), and wraps of suspected cocaine.
“The operation successfully disrupted criminal activities in the areas,” he said.
He said that earlier on the same day, at about 12a.m., the operatives disrupted the public celebration of the alleged 7/7 anniversary of the Black Axe (Aye) Confraternity at Owerre Eze-Oba community in Udenu LGA.
“The operatives arrested the following male suspects: Obinna Odo, 22; Kenechi Odo, 39; Ikenna Mba, 37; Peter Ugwuoke, 27; Ejike Odo, 35; Chinedu Ugwuanyi, 28; Chinaza Kingsley, 20 and Stanley Ebubechukwu, 21.
“Others are: Chigekwu Ezeh, 26; Ekene Arua, 21; Eze Ikenna, 38; and Jude Odo, 34. Exhibits recovered include one axe, a set of drum instruments, and 14 motorcycles.
“Investigations into the cases are ongoing to apprehend other suspects that fled, establish the full extent of the criminal activities of those arrested, and recover additional exhibits where necessary.
“The arrested suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he said.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the operatives for the successful operations.
Giwa reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven policing against cultism, illicit drug trafficking, and other violent crimes.
The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to the police to enhance public safety and security across the state.