ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- No fewer than 20 suspected cultists and drug traffickers have been arrested by the Enugu State Police Command in a week-long intelligence-driven operation that also led to the recovery of hard drugs, 22 motorcycles, a tricycle and other exhibits across different parts of the state.
The coordinated operations, carried out between July 7 and July 14, targeted suspected cult groups, drug peddlers and other criminal elements in Enugu metropolis and Udenu Local Government Area as part of the command’s intensified campaign against violent crimes.
Police spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, who disclosed this in a statement, said operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) recorded major breakthroughs in separate raids conducted on credible intelligence.
According to him, the latest operation took place on Tuesday at Banana Estate, Independence Layout, Enugu, where security operatives stormed a location allegedly being used by suspected cultists who had been terrorising residents, robbing unsuspecting members of the public, vandalising property and engaging in the sale of illicit drugs.
The raid led to the arrest of Ogbodo Chebe, 40, said to be a suspected member of the Abashie Confraternity and an alleged youth leader, alongside 27-year-old Oguma Onyebuchi.
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Ndukwe said substances suspected to be “Colos” were recovered from the suspects, while several other suspects escaped the scene, abandoning eight motorcycles and a tricycle later recovered by the police.
In another operation conducted on July 7 during a crime prevention patrol, police operatives raided identified criminal hideouts around Emene and Eke Obinagu, leading to the arrest of six suspects.
Those arrested were identified as Mba James Chinonso, Ani Nonso, Ike Nnana, Chiagozie Nnamani Isaac, Ede Onyenaturuchi and Ozoemena Michael.
The police said the operation yielded large quantities of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, methamphetamine, locally known as Mkpụrụ-mmiri, and wraps of suspected cocaine, disrupting criminal activities in the affected areas.
Earlier on the same day, police operatives also foiled an alleged public celebration marking the “7/7” anniversary of the Black Axe, also known as Aye Confraternity, at Owerre Eze-Oba community in Udenu Local Government Area.
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The command said the gathering had created anxiety among residents before security personnel moved in and arrested 12 suspected members of the cult group.
The suspects were identified as Obinna Odo, Kenechi Odo, Mba Ikenna, Ugwuoke Peter, Odo Ejike, Ugwuanyi Chinedu, Chinaza Kingsley, Ebubechukwu Stanley, Eze Chigekwu, Arua Ekene, Eze Ikenna and Odo Jude.
Recovered during the operation were an axe, a set of drum instruments believed to have been used during the gathering, and 14 motorcycles.
The police said investigations were ongoing to track down fleeing suspects, determine the full scope of the suspects’ alleged criminal activities and recover additional exhibits.
It added that all those arrested would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Commending the operatives for the successful operations, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to sustain intelligence-led operations against cultism, drug trafficking and other violent crimes across the state.
He also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information capable of preventing crime and enhancing public safety.