The Anambra State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 80 cult members.
The spokesman of the Command, Haruna Mohammed, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the various operations that landed the cult members in police net were coordinated by the Command’s Special Anti-Cult Unit.
Mohammed said the operations, aimed at curtailing cult activities, especially during the Ember months, focused on the various hideouts and black spots, where cultists are suspected to be hibernating at various locations within the State as follows.
On September 1, 2020 in Ogidi/Nkpor axis of the state, 15 suspected cultists were arrested.
The following day in Awka/Amansea axis, six suspected cultists were arrested, while five were apprehended on September 3, 2020.
On September 4, 2020 at Oba/Nnewi axis, seven suspected cultists were arrested, with six mote arrested on September 5, 2020 at Nsugbe/Nkwelle-ezunaka axis.
On September 6, 2020 at Ogbunike/Abagana axis, eight suspected cultists arrested, while four were apprehended the following day in Nawfia, and four pickled up at Nimo/Abagana axis on September 8, 2020.
On September 9, 2020 at Ifitedunu /Awkuzu axis, 12 suspected cultists were arrested, while on September 10, 2020 at Amikwo, four were picked up, with five and four arrested on September 14 and 15, 2020 in Nsugbe/3-3 and Ebenebe/Ugbenu areas respectively.
Mohammed added: “From all the raids carried out, a total of 80 suspects were arrested out of which 40 suspects were charged to Court,15 suspects were screened and released unconditionally, 5 suspects were placed under police supervision for being under aged while 20 suspects including a sixteen years old confessed cultist one Echezoma Metu ‘m’ who was arrested with a double barrel gun inside his school compound at Igboukwu are undergoing investigation.
“Meanwhile, exhibits recovered includes,Two (02) pump action ten (10) machetes, five (05) axes, two (02) daggers, three (03) barrettes, one double barrel gun, 02 locally made pistol and 03 live cartridges.
“The Commissioner of Police CP John B.Abang, thanked ‘Ndi Anambra’ for providing the Command with actionable intelligence and reassures the public of adequate protection.
Abang further urged all Ndi Anambra and residents alike to report any suspicious persons objects to the nearest Police Station or call police emergency number 07039194332 for prompt response.”