By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State Police Command in the early hours of Thursday, September 18, 2025, in a search of the residence of one 23-year-old Ndefoh Chijioke, disvovered an Ontario CA American-made pistol with one live round of ammunition.

The search which took place in Ogbunike, in Oyi Local Government Area of the state, came on the heels of the Command's ongoing onslaught against cultism and violent crimes through Police Operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad (SPACS) Enugu Ukwu.

According to a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, a strong member of the Aye Confraternity (Black Axe) before the search was sighted in the company of other suspected cultists.

The statement reads in part: "In a follow-up on the information obtained on the spot from the suspect, 9 (Nine) other suspects were arrested.

"They include: Obuh Onyedika ‘M’ 27yrs, Obuh Confidence ‘M’ 19yrs, Mbanusi Nnaemeka ‘M’ 22yrs, Godwin Udebeh ‘M’ 31yrs, Chizoba Onuake ‘M’ 19yrs, Ohazunike Martins ‘M’ 23yrs, Ndife Chidorie ‘M’ 23yrs, Nwosu Chinecherem ‘M’ 22yrs, and Caleb Nwafor ‘M’ 26yrs.

"The suspects are currently undergoing screening and profiling, after which those found culpable will be charged in court."

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has commended the swift action of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive raids, intelligence-led operations, and community collaboration to rid the State of cultism, firearms proliferation, and other violent crimes.

The Police Spokesman further said that Investigation is ongoing, adding that developments will be communicated.

He however assured that other parts of the State remains calm even as counter-terrorism and crime prevention operations continue.