The Police Command in Enugu State has detained 13 suspects involved in conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and cult-related activities in the state within two weeks.
The arrests were made during operations between July 15 and July 30, which also led to the recovery of firearms, vehicles and other incriminating evidence.
The Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Friday in Enugu, said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the operatives for their proactive efforts.
Ndukwe said that on July 30, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, acting on confessional statement of Ekene who is under investigation for conspiracy and armed robbery, stormed Oyofo-Oghe in Ezeagu LGA.
“The operation led to the detaining of three additional suspects: Ebuka Odinko, 35; Chiemerie Amano, 25; and Onyebuchi Onyekwere, 24.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that they are members of the Vikings Confraternity and have been involved in a series of armed robbery incidents during which they dispossessed residents of their valuables.”
Ndukwe said that on the confessional statements of two suspects, operatives conducted a tactical operation in Port Harcourt, between July 23 and July 28.
The spokesman said that the operation led to the detention of two more suspects: Udofia Richard, 43, and Richard Arinzechukwu Nwaomu, 32.
“Two suspected stolen vehicles were recovered from them – a red Toyota Camry XLE with registration number YEN 221 AG and an ash coloured Kia Soul with registration number PHC 845 AE,” he said.
He said that in another operation carried out on July 21, three male suspects were arrested in Umuasi Ngwo, Udi LGA.
Ndukwe said a cut-to-size double-barreled gun was recovered.
“All cases are under investigation, and efforts are being intensified to detain the remaining suspects still at large.”
