In its effort to rid the state of crime, the Anambra State Police Command has arrested a total of 130 cultists from their hideouts and black spots in the state.

The cultists, whose arrest was made possible by the Special Anti-Cultism Squad of the Command, were nabbed in areas which included Njikoka, Okpoko, Ekwulobia, Oyi, Ekwusigo, Anambra East, Ogidi, Nkpor, Onitsha and Awka.

The breakdown of the arrest, according to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Haruna Mohammed, showed that while seven cultists were arrested in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA), four were arrested in Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA.

Other arrests were carried out in Oyi/Anambra East (eight suspects), while nine suspects were arrested in Ihiala/Ekwusigo, nine in Ifite/Eziahulu, six in Aguleri, 33 in Nsugbe, 18 in Amikwo Awka, and five in Umuawulu/Nibo/Nise.

Also, 18 suspects were arrested in Okpuno Awka, 22 in Amensea Awka, five in Nkpor/Ogidi, 11 in Onitsha even as another 11 was arrested in Awka South LGAs of the state.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects were four matchetes, two axes, two daggers, some quantities of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, native charms and diverse charms of different categories.

Meanwhile, out of the 135 suspects arrested so far, 41 have confessed and charged to court, 60 were screened and released while 44 others are under investigation.

Also arrested were two murder suspects, Okoronji Emeka and Umezinwa Val, both 24 years old and of Nkpor Agu, Idemili North LGA of the state.

The statement reads: “On December 17, 2018 at about 4pm following intelligence report, Police detectives attached to Central Police Station Onitsha arrested twenty the following suspects.

“Okoronji Emeka aged 24 years of No 16 Park Lane and Umezinwa Val, aged 24 years of No 110 Agulu Avenue Nkpor Agu respectively.

“Suspects had on the 5/12/2018 lured one Gold Gift, female, aged 35 years into a hotel and killed her after having unlawful carnal knowledge with the victim.

“Meanwhile, preliminary investigation further revealed that the victim was later taken by the hotel staff and dumped at BSMG roundabout Onitsha without informing the Police.

“Consequently, three of the hotel staff, including the manager, one Mr Ekene Gabriel aged 30 years of Onitsha, the Barman, one Mr Tom Bishop Emmanuel aged 25 years and the gateman, one Mr Arume Ifeanyi Godwin aged 27 years were also arrested.”

Mohammed said that the case is under investigation adding that the suspects would be charged to Court for prosecution.

The Police Command further called on the public to report any suspicious persons or movements to the nearest Police Station or call this emergency number: 07039194332 for prompt response.