The Anambra State Police Command has intensified its clampdown on cultism and violent crimes with the arrest of 10 suspected cultists and the recovery of a firearm and live ammunition in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement issued on Thursday, September 18, 2025, confirmed that operatives of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad (SPACS), Enugwu-Ukwu, acting on credible intelligence, stormed the residence of one Ndefoh Chijoke, 23, identified as a strong member of the Aye Confraternity (Black Axe). During the operation, an Ontario CA American-made pistol with one live round of ammunition was recovered from the suspect.
According to Ikenga, a follow-up on the intelligence obtained led to the arrest of nine other suspected cultists. They were identified as:
Obuh Onyedika, 27, Obuh Confidence, 19, Mbanusi Nnaemeka, 22, Godwin Udebeh, 31, Chizoba Onuake**, 19.
Others include Ohazunike Martins, 23, Ndife Chidorie, 23, Nwosu Chinecherem, 22 and Caleb Nwafor, 26
The suspects are currently undergoing screening and profiling, after which those found culpable will be charged in court.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc, MNIPS, PhD, commended the swift operation and assured residents of the Command’s sustained commitment to aggressive raids, intelligence-driven policing, and community collaboration to eradicate cultism, illegal firearms, and violent crimes across the state.
Meanwhile, the police said the situation in other parts of Anambra remains calm as counter-terrorism and crime prevention operations continue.