The Anambra State Police Command has arrested six suspected cultists in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State.

The suspects, which include two females, were rounded up following a tip-off to the police at Paradise Hotel where they were reportedly brandishing dangerous weapons.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Haruna Mohammed, police detectives attached to Ogidi division had on getting the information rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area.

News Express gathered that the gang on sighting the police locked the entrance of the hotel and engaged the police in fierce gun duel which lasted for more than 30 minutes.

As a result of the gun duel, one of the suspects, Ugochukwu Okafor, sustained gunshot injuries on his buttocks while trying to disarm a police officer.

The statement reads in part: “On 14/12/2018 at about 4pm, there was intelligence report at Ogidi Division that some suspected armed robbers/cultists were cited at Paradise hotel Ogidi brandishing dangerous weapons.

“The suspects on seeing the police approach, locked the gates of the hotel and engaged police in a gun duel which lasted for more than thirty minutes.

“The Police responded but with high restraint in order to avert innocent civilian casualties.”

“Consequently, four male suspects including the injured one and two female suspects were arrested while others fled.”

Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one locally made pistol, three live cartridges. two empty shells, one axe, some quantities of dry leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp and tramadol drugs.

Mohammed added that the injured suspect was taken to the hospital for treatment and that the case is under investigation after which the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution.