By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State Police Command on Tuesday announced the recovery of one English-made pistol, one locally-made pistol, five live cartridges, among other weapons from cultists in the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, in a statement said the recovery followed the arrest of five suspects in connection with the cult incident that took place on April 18, 2021 in Awka.

According to him, the incident resulted in the gruesome murder of two yet-to-be-identified young men at Miracle Junction by Unizik back gate, Ifite Awka.

The statement partly reads: “On the receipt of the information, Police operatives quickly mobilised to the scene. The hoodlums on sighting the police took to their heels.

“During the hot chase by police operative, five suspects were arrested and investigations are still ongoing to apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

Meanwhile, in another development, police officers attached to the anti-cultism unit of the command on April 16, 2021 arrested 3 suspects, namely, Tochukwu Okoye, 17, Okechukwu Chijioke, 23 and Chinedu Aniegbunam, 23.

Some of the exhibits recovered from the suspect include; one English-made pistol, one locally-made pistol, five live cartridges and two motorcycles, among other weapons.

“The suspects were arrested by police operatives on patrol, who flagged down the suspects when they drove in a suspicious manner along Nise-Awka route. They all voluntarily confessed to being members of Payton Confraternity

“All suspects will be charged to court on conclusion of the investigations.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police CP Monday Bala Kuryas, has reassured the public that the command, under his watch will continue to pursue criminals from all nooks and crannies in the state, and will involve the communities in ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state.

“The CP also implored well-meaning members of the public resident in the state to cooperate with the police and report suspicious person(s) or movement(s) to the nearest police station or through the command emergency numbers 112 or call 07039194332 for a prompt response,” Ikenga added.