By Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The Enugu State Police Command has apprehended three male suspects for armed robbery and cultism in separate operations, recovering firearms and ammunition in the process.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, who made this known in a statement on Wednesday, added that the success was part of the Command’s 2025 proactive and community-driven policing strategy introduced by Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu.
According to the statement, “two suspects, identified as Okorie Israel Nweze (25) and Tobechukwu Emmanuel (20), were arrested on January 14, 2025, at Garriki, Ugwuoba, Oji-River, by operatives of the Oji-River Police Division.
“Two pump-action guns and six live cartridges were recovered from them. The suspects confessed to engaging in armed robbery and drug trafficking along the Abakaliki Road in Awka, Anambra State.”
In another operation on January 2, 2025, operatives from the Command’s Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, acting on credible intelligence, rescued and arrested Effia Onyedika John (27), alias “Fela,” from an angry mob at Ugbo-Paul, Abakpa-Nike, Enugu. A locally made double-barreled pistol loaded with two live cartridges was recovered from the suspect.
The statement revealed that the suspect, who admitted to being a member of the Vikings confraternity, was part of a gang responsible for multiple armed robberies and thefts within the Enugu metropolis.
“All the suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded,” the police spokesman added.
Commending the operatives, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu reiterated the Command’s commitment to ensuring Enugu State remains unconducive for criminal activities. He called on citizens to support the police by providing credible information.
“The Command is determined to sustain its efforts in combating crime and will not relent in making Enugu State safe for all law-abiding residents,” Uzuegbu stated.