Police Arrest 54 Suspects for Kidnapping, Cultism in Anambra
Police Arrest 54 Suspects for Kidnapping, Cultism in Anambra
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 54 suspects for alleged involvement in kidnapping, cultism, drug abuse, and possession of banned substances.
The arrests, which comprised 39 males and 15 females, were carried out during coordinated raids in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area, and Ifitedunu, Dunukofia LGA, the Command disclosed on Monday.
Speaking during a press briefing at the police headquarters in Awka, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who represented the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, said the clampdown was part of renewed strategies to tackle violent crimes and restore public order in the state.
According to Ikenga, the operations were intelligence-driven and targeted at hotspots where cult-related activities and drug use among youths had been on the rise.
“We arrested a total of 54 suspects in the course of our raids. They include individuals linked to kidnapping syndicates, cult groups, and those in possession of hard drugs and other prohibited substances. Most of the suspects are young people within the ages of 18 to 26 years,” he said.
The police spokesman emphasized that the command would not relent in its efforts to dismantle criminal networks and warned that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
He also appealed to residents to continue sharing timely information with security operatives to help nip crime in the bud.
Ikenga assured that the suspects would be profiled, investigated, and charged to court upon completion of preliminary inquiries.
He reiterated the commitment of the Commissioner of Police to making Anambra safe, stressing that the command’s new crime-prevention strategy involves aggressive patrols, community collaboration, and clampdowns on hideouts used by criminals.
The press briefing also highlighted the increasing concern about the involvement of young people in crime, with the command pledging to work with community leaders and other stakeholders to provide alternative pathways for youths away from cultism and drugs.
