Enugu State | Police arrests 17 robbers, cultists terrorizing community

The anti-cult unit of the Enugu State police command has  arrested 17 suspected members of a cult group and armed robbers, including young girls‎, who have been terrorizing residents of Agbani and neighbouring towns within Nkanu West local government area of the state.

A press statement from the command signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Unit at Agbani following intelligence information supplied by members of the public.‎

The first set of suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in cult-related activities, unlawful possession of firearms.

They gave their names as  Nnamani Chinonso, 18 years of  age and hails from Obeagu in  Agbani; Nnamani Ekene; Ani Chidera; Ogbu Chinenye; Friday Anih; Nnamani Daberechi; Nweke Frank; Nwoye Chigozie; Eze Chidera; Ede Ifeanyi; Chukwu Chukwuebuka; Ejim Monday and Nwatu Samuel.

Items recovered from them include two short locally made double-barrel guns, two short  locally made single barrel guns, one long locally made single-barrel gun, 22 live cartridges and cartridge host.

The second gang of suspects who were also arrested within Agbani town for conspiracy and armed robbery were  Emmanuel Udofia, Onyedikachi Maduekwe, Onyekachi Ejike and Okenwa Emmanuel.

They were found to be in possession of a locally made Barretta pistol, one locally made revolver pistol, three  rounds of .9mm ammunition.

Amaraizu said  the suspects have confessed to the crimes and blamed their actions on satanic forces while pleading for forgiveness. He said the suspects  are now helping  the operatives in their investigations.

The PPRO ‎said the state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, has commended the efforts of the command in curtailing crime rate in the state but frowned at the increasing rate of youth involvement in cultism and other vices.

[Breaking Times]