Police Breaks into Criminal Den, Nets Cult Gang, Others

 FROM OUR CRIME DIARY, AWKA
Following a relentless war lunched aganist cult groups and other criminal elements by the Anambra State Police Command, the den of the evil children from possible descent parents have been broken into by the Special Anti-Cultsim Squad, SPACS and other titical units of the Anambra State Police Command.

Ina press briefing held yesterday at the Police State Headquarters, Awka, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng said the menace of cultism in the State particularly in Awka and it’s environs has claimed lives including two Police officers who were murdered at Unizik junction last year (December 14) and their weapons, two AK 47 rifles carted while the police were waging war against the cult group that attacked the Chairman of Tricycle Owners Association in broad day light.

The CP handed down that on 26th February, 2022, the same cultist gang attacked a funeral party at Ebenebe in Awka North Local Government Area of the State where killing on mourners were recorded.

“These serious incidents motivated the Command in going the extra mile in intelligence gathering and discreet investigation. 

“In the past two weeks, several members of the gang were arrested by Police Operatives working in synergy with important stakeholders in the security sector.

“On Tuesday (March 15, 2022) information was received that the same cult group had launched an attack on Unizik vigilante group at miracle junction, ifite, Awka. Police Operatives were mobilized to lay ambush for the gang as they fled from the scene. 

“The effort pays off as the Police succeeded in demobilizing the gang and recovering a cache of weapons which included the two AK-47 rifles earlier stolen from the two policemen murdered on 14th December, 2021. 

CP Echeng Echeng however revealed that two Ak47, three pump actions guns, three locally made beretta pistols, one locally made Chief recover pistol, Nine Ak-47 magazine, two battle axes, assorted ammunition for the firearms above and the Mercedes Benz V-Booth reg. No Lagos HC 661 AAA with which the gang was operating was also recovered 

“The leader of the gang, one Uchenna Nwobu a.k.a Anali was killed while the other gang members were arrested.
“Investigation is ongoing aimed at tracking down other members of the gang and establishing the rightful owner of the recovered car.

Frowning on the grievous of jungle justice in the trending video of the clash between the cultists and a local vigilante group, the State Police boss condemned the barbaric act, assuring that investigation will unravel identities of perpetrators and they will be brought to justice.

“We wish to advise all those involved in providing protection for our communities to refrain from resort to self help. One crime cannot be the cure for other crimes. On our part we shall continue to uphold the public trust. We shall continue to partner with all well-meaning stakeholders to improve public safety and state security 

Using the opportunity to update the citizenry on the video that recently trended where a lady was indecently assaulted and publicly disgraced over alleged incident of causing her husband’s death, the State Police Command was said have arrested a total of six additional suspects including a native doctor who where identified during the study of the video by police operatives. 

“The suspects are: Anthony Obanye ‘M’ 44years, Udalor Egwuatu Nnalue ‘M’ 46years, Godwin Ezechukwu ‘M’ 42yrs, Nonso Ezechukwu ‘M’ 20years, Philomena Onyekwe ‘F’ 27years and Chineyere Mmachi ‘F’ 32years.

Media men were briefed that the deceased, Mr Udorji Egwatu, had been sick for some time when his bother, Mr Udalor took him to Anthony (a native doctor). 

“Anthony confessed to have taken the deceased on some spiritual cleansing and administered him some herbs before he died. It was Anthony who allegedly told the family of the deceased that the cause of his death was as a result of the wife infidelity.

“We also to want use opportunity to advise the members of the public to stop sharing the video. This will help to protect the dignity of the woman. I wish to assure you that no stone shall be left unturned in the going investigation. Justice shall be served. 

Revealing further, the CP said the Command Operatives on stop and search on 23/2/2022 along Onitsha Enugu expressway arrested One Awoke Friday and Ezuma Chukwuemeka. While trafficking a large quantity of 250mg of Tramadol and other prohibited drugs.

“The suspects where conveying to drugs in a Toyota Hiace bus to Ebonyi State. Meanwhile the case has been transferred to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). CP Echeng Echeng concluded by stating that all the suspects in Police custody shall be charge to court at the end of investigation.