Anambra Police Arrest 17 Suspected Cultists in Awka

Police operatives from the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested 17 male suspects in Anambra, believed to be linked to cult-related activities. The arrests occurred in the early hours of Sunday in Awka.

Tochukwu Ikenga, the Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed the operation in a press statement. The suspects, aged between 17 and 30, include Okek Ugochukwu (28), Okoro Christian (17), Goodluck Michael (25), Amuch Michael (24), Ojukwu Divin (26), Ikechukwu Chimeremez (20), Obinna Ik (30), Nnamdi Desmond (28), Odibendi (20), Emmanuel Onyema (26), Omalico Eric (23), Duru Ifeanyi (23), Diamond Zikora (26), Charl Chukwuma (28), Ikem Vincent (20), Okek Chibuzo (23), and Izuuna Okoy (24).

Items recovered during the operation included dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa, petroleum jelly, and condoms. Preliminary interrogations revealed the suspects' affiliation with a confraternity known as "Bagger." The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioy Orutugu, reiterated that cultism and drug abuse undermine public peace and societal values, emphasizing that such activities will not be tolerated in the state.