Police arrest 14 suspected cultists in Enugu

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The Enugu State Police Command says its operatives arrested 14 suspected cultists in two intelligence-led operations across the state, recovering two firearms, three live cartridges, and other incriminating exhibits.

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The command’s spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the operations formed part of the command’s sustained offensive against cultism and other violent crimes.

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According to Ndukwe, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit recovered a locally fabricated single-barrelled pistol concealed in a bush in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, following the confession of a suspect, Nwodo Peters Chinweokwu, also known as “Sir-P” or “Biggy.”

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Ndukwe stated that Chinweokwu had earlier been arrested during a joint operation alongside seven other suspects identified as Nnaji Emmanuel, 34; Iroegbu Joshua, 18; Nwafor Miracle, 28; Ogbonna Moses Osinachi, 19; Oha Chidiebere Francis, 24; Udebuani Chukwuma, 30; and Elochukwu Oko, alias “Benson,” 29.

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The police spokesperson added that in a separate operation carried out around 2 am on the same day, operatives acting on the confessional statement of another suspect, Izuchukwu Obieze, alias “Small,” arrested five additional suspects in Ezeagu Local Government Area.

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“The operation led to the arrest of Oscar Ebuka (37), Eze Chimaobi Godson, alias ‘Torpedo’ (36), Ukeje Kingsley (37), Tochukwu Chilo, alias ‘Boss Me’ (26), and Nnamezie Amechi, alias ‘Obodobuigwe’ (46), and the recovery of one pump-action gun loaded with three live cartridges,” the statement read.

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Ndukwe noted that investigations were ongoing, adding that the suspects were providing useful information to aid the arrest of other fleeing accomplices and the recovery of more exhibits.

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He noted that all the suspects would be arraigned upon the conclusion of the investigations.

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Reacting, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the operatives for the successful operations and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating cultism, armed robbery, and other violent crimes across the state.

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He also urged residents to remain vigilant and law-abiding and to continue to support the police with credible and timely information.

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PUNCH Metro reported on July 11 that the Lagos State Police Command arrested five suspected cultists terrorising the Apapa, Ijora, and Badia areas of the state.

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The operatives also recovered weapons and suspected hard drugs during the operation.

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