PRESS BRIEFING ON ANAMBRA STATE POLICE COMMAND’S EFFORTS AT TACKLING CULTISM, DRUG ABUSE, AND OTHER UNACCEPTABLE SOCIETAL ISSUES
_As Operatives recover a large quantity of hard drugs and arrest 54 suspects comprising 39 (Thirty-nine) males and 15 (Fifteen) females in separate raid operations in the State._
The Anambra State Police Command has expressed deep concern over the increasing cases of moral decay in the society, particularly among the youth in the age bracket of 18 to 26 years. Despite successes recorded in the past, disturbing trends such as cultism and fake kidnapping incidents continue to surface.
Recall that sometime ago, the Command arrested a young lady who conspired with her boyfriend to stage her own kidnapping and extorted N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira) from her parents after N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) that was initially demanded by the girl and her boyfriend. In a similar development, another case of self-orchestrated kidnap was uncovered. The two suspects, a boy and a girl in a relationship collected a ransom of One Million Naira from the parents of the girl after the ransom was reduced from Ten Million to Three Million Naira.
These incidents, with the resurgence of cult-related activities, like the indiscriminate shooting by suspected cultists on the attendees in a burial ceremony at Ezi-Ogidi - Ogidi, Idemili North LGA, resulting in the death of four persons while fifteen others sustained serious injuries, further highlight the growing menace of such worrisome issues.
The Command condemns these acts in strong terms, describing them as unacceptable, attributing the trend partly to the declining levels of parental supervision and poor guidance over their children and wards.
Meanwhile, Operatives of the Command have intensified surveillance, patrols, and intelligence-gathering operations aimed at nipping such incidents in the bud.
In addition, the Command has strategized further by adopting both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. These include inviting individuals suspected to be associated with cult groups for questioning, as well as conducting targeted raids on drug hideouts. The abuse of hard drugs remains a major driving force that emboldens youths to commit heinous crimes.
Given the above, Operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS), Enugwu-Ukwu on 12th September 2025 while on aggressive manhunt/patrol for cultists arrested one male suspect Chiderah Obochi, aged 25 at Ifitedunu, along the Old Onitsha/Awka Road. The suspect who was on a motorcycle, was searched and some quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from him.
Upon interrogation, he confessed to being a drug runner in Umudioka Village, Dunukofia LGA. He thereafter led the team to the house of the one Ginika Okeke in Umudioka Village, but the suspect was not met at home. However, 11 (Eleven) bags containing a very large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) were recovered from the house.
The recovered hard substances will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further necessary action. The Command is also working on credible intelligence to identify and apprehend drug dealers supplying these harmful substances.
Furthermore, the Command Operatives in the late hours of 14th September, 2025 raided a black spot at Ogidi, Idemili North LGA, following credible intelligence that cultists routinely gathered at the location to perfect plans for their nefarious activities.
During the operation, 53 (Fifty-three) suspects were arrested, comprising 38 (Thirty-eight) male and 15 (Fifteen) female.
The suspects are currently undergoing screening and profiling, after which those found culpable will be charged to Court.
On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc MNIPS PhD, the Command hereby reassures Ndi Anambra of her unwavering commitment to restoring sanity, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that the State remains safe for all law-abiding residents.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga
Police Public Relations Officer
Anambra State Police Command, Awka
15th September 2025.
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