Police arrest 3 armed robbery, cultism suspects, recover firearms in Enugu

By, Chinelo Kodilichukwu,.Enugu 

The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested three male suspects for armed robbery and cultism in separate operations within the state. 

The Command’s operatives also recovered three firearms, eight live cartridges and other exhibits.

The Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement in Enugu on Friday, said that the achievements were part of the 2025 proactive, community-driven, and results-oriented policing strategy introduced by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu.

Ndukwe said that in one of the operations, that police operatives from the Oji-River Police Division arrested two male suspects: Okorie Israel Nweze, 25 and Tobechukwu Emmanuel, 20, on Jan.14, 2025, at Garriki, Ugwuoba, Oji-River. 

“Two pump-action guns and six live cartridges were recovered from the suspects, who confessed to being involved in armed robbery and other criminal activities, including drug trafficking along Abakaliki Road, Awka, Anambra State,” he said.

He said that in another operation, on Jan. 2, around 8p.m., police operatives from Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, acting on credible intelligence, rescued and nabbed John Effia, 27, also known as “Fela,” from an angry mob at Ugbo-Paul, Abakpa-Nike, Enugu.

He said, “A locally-made double-barreled pistol loaded with two live cartridges was recovered from him. 

“The suspect confessed to be a member of Vikings confraternity and a criminal gang responsible for multiple armed robberies and thefts within Enugu metropolis. 

“All the suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded.”

The spokesman said the commissioner commended the efforts of the operatives; while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to making Enugu State unconducive for unrepentant criminal elements and their activities in 2025. 

Ndukwe noted that the commissioner urged residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and supportive by providing credible and actionable information to assist the police in combating crimes.