By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have foiled a planned cult clash in Enugwu Ukwu, in Njikoka Local Government Area of the State, and arrested two suspected cultists, while others escaped into the bush.

This was disclosed by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga in a statement made available to journalists in Awka on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

According to him, the operatives who are attached to the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS) Enugwu Ukwu, while acting on actionable intelligence received a signal regarding the gathering of a dangerous cult group for a planned rivalry fight in the early hours of Wednesday, December 4, 2025.

He explained that following the intelligence report, the operatives swiftly mobilized to the scene and arrested two suspects identified as Oluebube Ifediorah, male, aged 21 years, and Offorbuike Emmanuel, male, aged 25 years.

The police spokesman added, "The suspects were apprehended during the operation in Enugwu Ukwu town, where the cult group had allegedly converged in preparation for the violent clash.

"The police recovered a locally-made double-barrel shotgun and two live cartridges from the suspects during the operation.

"The recovered firearm was found inside a red bag that the first suspect, Oluebube Ifediorah, had on him at the time of arrest, while several other members of the cult gang reportedly fled the scene into the surrounding bush upon sighting the operatives."

He revealed that the recovered firearm was found inside a red bag that the first suspect, Oluebube Ifediorah, had on him at the time of arrest, while several other members of the cult gang reportedly fled the scene into the surrounding bush upon sighting the operatives.

While noting that efforts are currently in top gear to track down and apprehend the remaining members of the gang who escaped during the operation, Ikenga said that the arrest and recovery is part of the ongoing efforts of the Anambra State Police Command to rid the state of cult-related violence and other criminal activities.

He further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has commended the operatives for their swift response and professionalism in preventing what could have led to loss of lives and destruction of property.

He said: "The CP has once again urged residents of the state to continue providing timely and credible information to the police to aid in the fight against cultism and all forms of criminality across the state."

The PPRO further said that the suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.