Anambra: Police arrest 87 suspected cultists, recover child stole in Church


The Anambra Police command, on Tuesday, said they have arrested 87 suspected cultists in different parts of Anambra state, and recovered firearms and other incriminating items from them.
The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Mujammed, who disclosed this, said the arrest were perfected by operatives attached to Operation Puff Adder in conjunction with Special Anti Cult Squad (SPACS).


According to him,18 of the suspects were on June 3, 2019 arrested at Omor axis, Ayamelum LGA, while 15 were nabbed at Oko in Orumba north LGA on June 4th, 2019.


“On June 5, 2019 at Igbariam/Nkwelle Ezunaka 10 suspected cultists arrested. On June 6th, 18 were apprehended at Ogbunike/Nteje. On June 7, at Ogidi/Nkpor axis, 15 suspected cultists were arrested. On 08/06/2019, at Awada, 05 suspected cultists arrested. On 09/06/2019, at Otuocha/Umueri/Awka axis, 05 suspected cultists/one armed robbery suspect arrested respectively. 


“Consequently, between 3/6/2019 to date a total number of 87 suspects were arrested of which 30 were screened out, 25  were charged to court and 32 others are undergoing investigation. Exhibits recovered from the suspects who confessed being members of different secret cult groups include, one double barrel fabricated Pistol, one live cartridge, two daggers, two machetes, different types of handsets robbed from victims at and some quantities of weed suspected to be cannabis sativa.


The PPRO also confirmed stealing of a year and six months child allegedly stole in a church in Awada, Onitsha. “On the 9 June, at about 2:30pm, one Mr  Olisachukwu Ezechukwu of number 1 Orakwe Close,Awada reported at Awada Police Station that on the same date at about 1:40pm,his househelp one Miss Ukwuoma Ruth, aged 16 went to Church at Awada with his son one Master Chibuike Ezechukwu aged one year and six months. 
“The Complainant alleged that during  offering inside the Church the househelp handed over his son to a yet to be identified lady who Sat beside her and equally gave her the sum of #1OO Naira for offering. However, by the time she (the househelp) came back from the altar to seat she discovered that the lady had disappeared with the child and was nowhere to be found. 


“Police detectives have visited the scene and efforts are being intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspect and recover the child. The public are strongly advised to be wary of this new pattern of child stealing and report suspicious persons to the nearest Police Station for prompt action. Religious leaders are equally enjoined to take adequate security measures at their places of worships in order to avert this ugly trend,” he said.

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