Police in Anambra State, Southeast, Nigeria, has arrested no fewer than seven suspects for criminal offences that bothers on robbery and cultism. According to report, among those arrested included five teenagers.
The arrest was disclosed in a statement on Saturday night by the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga. He stated that the suspects were nabbed on Friday, May 3.
According to the PPRO, the suspects have been terrorizing Anambra State residents for sometime now.
The police spokesman, however, stated that suspects were apprehended following a tipoff. He pointed that criminals were nabbed when some police operatives from the Special Anti-Cult Squad went on patrol along UNIZIK Junction in the area on the fateful day.
Ikenga stated that at the junction, the operatives intercepted a tricycle. He said that following the interception, the five male occupants of the tricycle, including its rider were arrested.
“Operatives in a bid to question them, the occupants took to their heels. While the others escaped, Chukwuemka Ozoekwe was arrested,” the PPRO said.
“Ozoekwe later led the police operatives to their hideout, where two other suspects – Chidozie Anagor, 18, and Chukwuemeka Oyeoka, 18 – were arrested.
“Also, during the raid operation in their harbour, the operatives arrested more of the suspects. Those arrested were Ebuka Okoye, 17, Olisa Obi, 19, Chidubem Nwakwu, 20, and Nwankwo Kosisochukwu,” he said.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of Vipers Cult Group. They are one of the gangs terrorizing Awka metropolis recently.
“The suspects also confessed that they were on a mission to rob the road users of their phones and personal belongings before the arrest,” Ikenga added.
The PPRO, however, added that Makuo Nwosu and a yet-to-be-identified male – were declared wanted by the police.
Reacting to the arrest, the Acting Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Fidelis Ogarabe, praised the operatives. He charged them to sustain the fight against criminals in the State.
Ogarabe promised to repay residents of the city for their confidence in the police in the State.
The acting Police Commissioner, however, directed that all the suspects should be charged in court upon conclusion of investigations.
source: Channels TV
