Anambra Police Arrest 16 Alleged Cult Members, Declare 21 Wanted Following Wave of Killings

The Anambra Police Command has arrested 16 individuals suspected of being involved in cult-related activities, following a spate of violent incidents and killings in the capital city of Awka. In addition, 21 other suspected cult members have been declared wanted by the police as they continue their crackdown on organized crime.

The arrest comes in the wake of an alarming increase in cult-related killings in Awka over the past month. Since Easter, the city has witnessed the deaths of at least 34 people due to cult violence. This surge in violence has prompted widespread concern among residents and local leaders.

In response to the ongoing mayhem, Hon. Henry Mbachu, who represents the Awka South 1 constituency, and other stakeholders have called for urgent action to address the violence. They announced plans for a summit in May to discuss potential solutions to the rising crime rate and restore peace to the city.

Superintendent of Police Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson for the Anambra Police Command, released a statement confirming the arrests and outlining the ongoing efforts to capture the remaining suspects. He explained that the arrests were the result of a series of intelligence-led operations initiated by the Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye.

“The Commissioner of Police and other senior officers are committed to bringing those responsible for these violent acts to justice,” Ikenga said. “The 16 suspects currently in custody are being detained on the orders of the Commissioner, and we will continue to pursue those who are on the run.”

The police have assured the public that they are working diligently to ensure the safety and security of residents in Awka. As the investigation continues, authorities have urged anyone with information about the whereabouts of the wanted suspects to come forward and assist in the ongoing efforts to restore peace to the community.