13 Arrested as Anambra Police Recover Firearms, Stolen SUV, Drugs in Crackdown

By Praise Chinecherem

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 13 suspects in separate operations targeting suspected criminal activities in Okpoko and other parts of the state.

The operations also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, charms, cult-related insignias, suspected illicit drugs, dangerous weapons and a stolen Toyota Highlander.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the arrests followed intelligence-led operations by different units of the command.

Ikenga said operatives of the Okpoko Police Division, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout around Coca-Cola Market in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area, on September 30, 2026.

According to him, one suspect, identified as 20-year-old Somtochukwu Ezeibe, was arrested during the operation.

“Recovered from him were one locally-made double-barrel pistol, one live cartridge and charms,” Ikenga said.

He added that a follow-up search at Ezeibe’s residence led to the recovery of a Vikings Confraternity beret and peak cap.

Ikenga said preliminary investigation indicated the suspect’s alleged involvement in cult-related activities, adding that information obtained from him assisted investigators in identifying other persons allegedly linked to the group.

Consequently, eight additional suspects were arrested on October 5. They were identified as Chinonso Njoku, Tochukwu Ogbonna, Chidiebere Anokwuru, Chidera Nwakpa, Nweke Chibuike, Somadina Otubo, Chibueze Ikechukwu and Obum James.

The police spokesperson said the eight suspects had been transferred to the Anti-Cult Unit for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Four arrested over alleged armed robbery

In a separate operation on October 4, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, in collaboration with the Agunechemba Vigilante, Onitsha Sector, arrested four suspects over an alleged conspiracy and armed robbery.

The suspects were identified as Dennis Ngwu, Elvis Udo Effiong, Femi Adekoya and Chijioke Obinozie.

Ikenga said large quantities of suspected illicit substances were recovered from them.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are allegedly members of a six-man gang suspected of robbing shuttle bus operators at gunpoint and diverting company goods within Onitsha,” he said.

According to the police, the suspects allegedly made statements implicating themselves in the offences under investigation, including the diversion of goods valued at approximately ₦40 million.

Ikenga, however, said the investigation was still ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the alleged offences and identify other persons who may be connected to the activities.

Stolen Toyota Highlander recovered

Meanwhile, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) recovered an abandoned green Toyota Highlander at Ogidi during an intelligence-led patrol on October 5.

The police said preliminary findings indicated that the vehicle was allegedly snatched from its owner at Ogidi Building Materials on August 16, 2026.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations against cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.

“The CP further urges members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible and timely information to the police,” Ikenga said, adding that such information would be treated with appropriate confidentiality and acted upon professionally.

The police said investigations into the various cases are ongoing.

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