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No fewer than122 suspects have been arrested by the Anambra state police command for various criminal offences within two weeks.
The Commissioner of Police, John Abang who this known in Awka on Friday while briefing journalist on its achievements during the period under review, said 25 of them were charged to court for prosecution.
He said that 34 were screened out and released unconditionally, while 63 others are undergoing investigations, pointing out that15 Firearms and over 2000 live cartridges were also recovered in the same period.
According to him, a sympathetic case of arrest was one Onyinye, a student of a tertiary institution in Oko on March 7, 2020 who was allegedly pregnant went into labour in a toilet, delivered a baby girl and threw the baby through a window and left.
“The baby was rescued and rushed to a hospital for urgent medical attention and is presently responding to treatment along with the mother who was equally sick,” he said.
However, when questioned on why she abandoned her baby,the suspect claimed she doesn’t know the biological father of the child. Case under investigation.
In order to further stem the tide of cultism in the state,the Command has during the period under review, through its Special Anti Cult unit carried out raids at various locations where suspected cultists hibernate and arrested the following suspects within the State as follows,
On 26/2/2020 at Obosi/ Nkpor axis, 18 suspected cultists were arrested. On the 27 /2/20 at Ihiala /Uli axis, 20 suspected cultists arrested. On the 28 /2/20 at Awka /Amansi axis, 08 suspected cultists arrested. 0n the 01 /03/2020 at Onitsha /Nkpor axis, 05 suspected cultists arrested. On the 02/03/20 at Oba/Nnewi axis , 20 suspected cultists arrested. On the 03/03/2020 at Nsugbe/Nkwelle-Ezunaka axis , 08 suspected cultists arrested. On the 04/03/20, at Ogbunike/Abagana axis , 15 suspected cultists arrested. On the 05/03/20, at Abagana/Abba axis, 08 suspected cultists arrested. On the 06/03 /2020 at Amikwo Awka, 06 suspected cultists arrested.
From all the raids carried out so far, a total number of 108 suspects were arrested. 34 suspects were screened out, 20 suspects were charged to court,while 54 suspects out of which 21 are under aged are undergoing investigation after which they would be charged to Court for prosecution.
Meanwhile, exhibits recovered in their possession includes ten (10) locally made pistols, Eleven(11) machetes , Nine (09) cartridges, nine (09) battle axes, one (01)fabricated gun, three (03) cult regalia, eight (08) daggers, three(03 ) barrets, three (03) swords, seven (07) improvised bunkers for inhaling substances suspected to be cocaine
Abang said On the 9/3/2020 at about 12:30am, following intelligence report,Police operatives attached to Ozubulu division arrested one David Otto of Ogbadibo LGA and Joseph Donga of Buruku LGA all ‘m’ of Benue State respectively.
He said the suspects were caught dressed in complete Army Camouflage and have all confessed to be fake soldiers voluntarily.
In a related development ,Police operatives attached to 3-3 division Onitsha also arrested one Ejike Chigbata ‘m’ of Otuocha in Anambra East LGA of Anambra State.Suspect obstructed the Police from performing their lawful duty and claimed that he is a serving military officer by presenting a military ID card which turns to be fake.
On the 5/3/2020 at about 6:30pm,Police Surveillance Team attached to B Division Awka in conjuction with UNIZIK Security arrested one Sunday Thankgod ‘m’ aged 18 years of Opobo-Nkoro in Rivers State.Suspect was arrested with a bag containing two locally made single barrels short guns,five cartridges and dry leaves suspected to be cannabis Sativa.
Suspect is assisting the Police with useful information that would aid investigation after which he and his accomplices will be brought to justice.
Consequently, Police patrol team attached to bridge head division while on patrol at Niger street by service lane, bridge head Onitsha also arrested a middle aged man with a bag in his possession containing two thousand (2000) pieces of live cartridges. I have directed SARS to take over the case.
The suspect is assisting the Police with useful information about the motive for bringing such cartridges and how he got them after which he would be charged to Court for prosecution.
He said on the 9/3/2020 at about 3:45pm, following intelligence report,Puff Adder operatives in conjunction with the Command Special Anti Robbery Squad(SARS) arrested at Nanka, one Angus Chukwebuka Nwankwo ‘m’ aged 30 years and Chidiebere Omeyi ‘m’ aged 20 years respectively.
Suspects had on 27/2/2020 lured a Facebook user simply identified as Willswags from Owerri in Imo State to Nanka. After robbing the victim of his belongings,suspects allegedly killed and dumped his body inside the bush at Nanka in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Meanwhile, suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime and led police to the bush in Nanka where the decomposing body of the victim was found. Corpse deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.
Consequently, One Techno phone,property of the victim was recovered as exhibit from the suspect. Case under investigation and suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.
The commissioner said one major factor responsible for the overall successes recorded by the Command was the support of the good people of Anambra state who were very cooperative with the security agencies as well as robust inter agency collaboration.
“I urged Ndi Anambra”and my colleagues in other security agencies to sustain this level of cooperation at all times.
“It is my belief that with recent approval by the Inspector-general of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu to recruit Special Constabulary in various communities to complement the efforts of the police will further enhance safety and security not only in the state but the entire Nation as well.
“We are indeed in an era where Community Policing remains the vogue and the people we are serving continue to demand for excellent service,” he affirmed.
Abang said on the 10/03/2020 at about 11:50pm, following a distress call, Police Patrol team attached to Oko division in conjunction with Ndiowu vigilante group arrested one Ikechukwu Madukanze of Umunze aged 23years and Okudiri Ogubodo aged 26years from Enugu State respectively.
Suspects hired a Motorcyclist to take them to Ndiowu community near Oko but on reaching a lonely junction, they brought out a dagger and stabbed the motorcyclist at the back and snatched his motorcycle.
Meanwhile,the motorcycle was recovered and victim rushed to the hospital for medical attention and case under investigation.