By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang and recovered large quantities of suspected illicit drugs valued at N1,450,000, (One Million Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).

Other recoveries include, a fake United States $100 note, vandalized electrical wires and N72,550.00 in cash.

According to a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the recoveries were made during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Njikoka Local Government Area of the State on August 20, 2026, by operatives of the Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu.

He said the security operatives stormed the suspected criminal hideout located at Nawfia, Njikoka LGA at about 12:48pm on the said day and arrested five male suspects in the process.

Ikenga reeled out the names of the suspect as, Omogo Obinna, 29 years old, Okechukwu Nwagba, 28, Echezona Okonkwo, 29, Awal Umar, 23 and Ogadinma Boniface, 33 years old respectively.

The statement added: “Items recovered from the suspects include: substantial quantities of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp), Canadian Loud, Black Mamba, Colorado and Loud of monetary as well as vandalised electrical wires, N72,550.00 cash, and a suspected counterfeit United States $100 note.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are members of a criminal network operating within the area. The suspects have reportedly made useful statements to the Police and mentioned the names of other alleged members of the gang.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Nnanna Oji Ama has commended the operatives for the successful operation and directed that the investigation be pursued thoroughly and professionally.

He also ordered intensified efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang and ensure that all persons found to have participated in the criminal activities are brought to justice.

The Command however assured residents of its continued commitment to tackling drug-related crimes, vandalism and other forms of criminality across the state, even as it urged embers of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to the Police, as community cooperation remains vital to keeping Anambra safe.