By CHARLES IWUOHA

Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested 14 suspected cultists and other criminal suspects in two separate intelligence-led operations across the state.

During the raid, it recovered two firearms, live ammunition and other incriminating exhibits in a renewed crackdown on violent crime.

The Command said the coordinated operations, carried out by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), targeted suspected cult-related activities in Isi-Uzo and Ezeagu Local Government Areas.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the successful operations underscored the Command’s determination to rid the state of cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes.

According to him, the first operation was conducted on July 26, 2026, at about 12:00 noon, when detectives, acting on the confessional statement of Nwodo Peters Chinweokwu, alias “Sir-P” or “Biggy,” recovered a locally fabricated single-barrel pistol hidden in a bush in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area.

Ndukwe disclosed that Chinweokwu, 25, had earlier been arrested by officers of the Isi-Uzo Police Division during a joint operation alongside seven other suspects identified as Nnaji Emmanuel (34), Iroegbu Joshua (18), Nwafor Miracle (28), Ogbonna Moses Osinachi (19), Oha Chidiebere Francis (24), Udebuani Chukwuma (30) and Elochukwu Oko, alias “Benson” (29).

The police spokesman further revealed that in an earlier operation conducted the same day at about 2:00 a.m., VCRU operatives, acting on the confessional statement of Izuchukwu Obieze, alias “Small,” who is under investigation for conspiracy and cultism, raided locations in Ezeagu Local Government Area.

The raid led to the arrest of five additional suspects identified as Oscar Ebuka (37), Eze Chimaobi Godson, alias “Torpedo” (36), Ukeje Kingsley (37), Tochukwu Chilo, alias “Boss Me” (26), and Nnamezie Amechi, alias “Obodobuigwe” (46).

Police said the operation also yielded the recovery of one pump-action gun loaded with three live cartridges.

Ndukwe stated that investigations were ongoing, adding that the suspects were providing useful information to investigators.

“Investigations are ongoing as the suspects are making useful statements. Efforts are being intensified to arrest other accomplices currently at large and recover additional exhibits. All the suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he said.

Commending the operatives for the successful operations, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to sustain its offensive against criminal elements across the state.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the operatives for the successful operations and reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating cultism, armed robbery, and other violent crimes across the state,” Ndukwe stated.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant, law-abiding and continue supporting the police with credible and timely information to enhance security across Enugu State.

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