By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State Command Special Anti-cult unit (SPACS) has arrested a suspected notorious cult member responsible for initiating teenagers into secret cult.

It was gathered that the suspect, Somtochukwu Onyebuchi, aged 20, an indigene of Uru village, Ogidi in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State has been on the Police wanted list.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Mohammed, said that SPACS had, during the period under review, raided various hideouts were suspected cultists hibernate and arrested some syndicates.

“On the July 21, 2020 at about 5am following a tip-off, Police operatives attached to the Command Special Anti-cult unit arrested one Somtochukwu Onyebuchi ‘m’ aged 20 years of Iwu village, Ogidi in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State. Suspect, who has been on the Police wanted list, also specialises in initiating teenagers into secret cults.

“Preliminary investigation led to the arrest of his accomplices earlier initiated into Junior Vikings Secret Cult Confraternity (JVC) namely Okoliechukwu Elozanam ‘m’ aged 16 years and Precious Nmamdi Joseph ‘m’ aged 15 years.

“Meanwhile, all the suspects have voluntarily confessed and investigation is ongoing after which they would be brought to book.”

Similarly, the Command has arrested six members of Ayes/Ado Bagger confraternity.

According to the police spokesman, following actionable intelligence, the Command Special Anti-cult unit (SPACS) arrested one Chibuike Nwagozie (21), an indigene of Nnewi who is a member of Ayes Confraternity.

He said suspect led the police operatives to their hideout at Umudim Nnewi in Nnewi North LGA where five other gang members were arrested adding that investigation is ongoing after which suspects would be brought to book.

He added that between 16/7/2020 to date a total of 103 suspects were arrested throughout the State as follows,

“Exhibits recovered are 04 pump action guns, 01 double barrel gun, 20 expended cartridges, 10 Live cartridges, 11 machetes , 04 improvised bunkers for inhaling substances suspected to be cocaine, two chickens, one slaughtered goat for sacrifice and 95 wraps of weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa

“The Commissioner of Police, John B. Abang, thanked Ndi Anambra for providing the Command with actionable intelligence and reassures the public of adequate protection. The CP further made a clarion call on all Ndi Anambra and residents alike to report any suspicious persons or movements to the nearest Police Station or call police emergency number 07039194332 for prompt response.”

Mohammed said that from all the raids carried out so far, a total of 103 suspects were arrested out of which 30 suspects were screened out and released unconditionally.

He said 20 suspects were charged to court, 28 placed under police supervision for being under aged while 25 suspects are undergoing investigation.

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