Police arrest six robbery suspects in Anambra, recover arms

The Anambra police command says its operatives have arrested six suspects for armed robbery at different locations during stop-and-search operations in the state. 

A statement issued on Monday by Tochukwu Ikenga, the command’s spokesperson, said the arrests were made on Sunday, leading to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and “cult-related items”.

Ikenga said operatives attached to Anaku divisional headquarters intercepted eight suspects on motorcycles at Anaku/Omor junction at about 8 am on February 2.

“The suspects took to their heels during the search, but after a hot chase, three of them—Okafor Chibuike, Ekene Lucky Nwadigbu, and Godwin Osaz—all residents of Omor, were arrested,” he said.

“The police recovered a locally made double-barrel gun, a locally made revolver pistol, a dagger, three Android phones, and four ATM cards from them.”

He added that the police are still searching the area for the remaining suspects.

“Preliminary information reveals that the suspects are members of the Aye Confraternity and were en route to their den for initiation,” Ikenga added.

“One of their motorcycles was also recovered and brought to the police station.”

In a separate operation at Eke Awgbu junction on the same day, officers from Awgbu divisional headquarters arrested three more suspects in a tricycle.

The police spokesperson identified them as Chidera Nwochia from Amiri Orlu LGA, Chizurumu Elvis from Mbano LGA, and Kosisochukwu Obiechina from Agukwu Nri in Anambra state.

Ikenga said the suspects confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity and were on their way to an initiation ground.

“During the search, the police found one 7.62mm live ammunition, a black axe, a gallon of a substance suspected to be a hard drug, a local pot, white and red cloth with an ‘NBM’ and number 7 inscription, as well as pieces of red and white cloth and candles. The tricycle used for transportation was also recovered,” he added.

He said all suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.