Anambra Police Arrest Six Suspected Cultists, Seize Weapons and Drugs in Stop-and-Search Operations

In a series of coordinated stop-and-search operations across Anambra State, the police arrested six suspects on February 2, 2025, recovering weapons and other incriminating items. The arrests were made possible by the improved operational positioning put in place by Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam.

Among the items seized were a locally made double-barrel gun, a revolver pistol, a 7.62mm live ammunition, a metal axe, a Q-Link motorcycle with registration number JRV 760 QH, a gallon of suspected hard drugs, a local pot, and clothing with cult-related inscriptions, including red and white cloth marked with NBM and Number 7. Police also recovered candles, three Android phones, and four ATM cards from the suspects.

The first operation took place around 8 am at Anaku/Omor Junction, where police officers intercepted eight men riding on a motorcycle. The suspects fled when the search began, but three of them—Okafor Chibike, Ekene Lucky Nwadigbu, and Godwin Osaz—were apprehended after a chase. Police confiscated a bag containing arms, including the locally made double-barrel gun, revolver pistol, and a dagger. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are members of the Aye Confraternity, and they were heading to their initiation site. One of their motorcycles was also recovered and brought to the station.

The second operation occurred the evening before, on February 1, 2025, at Eke Awgbu Junction, where police stopped a tricycle carrying three suspects—Chidera Nwochia, aged 20, Chizurumu Elvis, 23, and Kosisochukwu Obiechina, 21. Upon searching the tricycle, officers found a 7.62mm live round of ammunition, a black axe, suspected hard drugs, cult paraphernalia, and more cult-related items. The suspects, who confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity, admitted they were on their way to an initiation site. The tricycle they were using was also recovered.

All six suspects remain in custody, and they will be charged in court after investigations are concluded.