Operation Puff Adder operatives in conjunction with police patrol team attached to Ogidi Division, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have arrested five suspected armed robbers and cultists operating in the vicinity of an old generation church.

The suspects include 19-year-old Chijoke Okolo, Chukwudi Kosiso, aged 17 years, of Nkwelle Ogidi; Chukwuebuka Anayo, aged 22 years, and Akpu Chinese, aged 19 years – both of Ogbuinike in Oyi council area.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Mohammed Haruna, said that the suspects were rounded up following a distress call that cult boys were operating around St. Philips Church, Ogidi.

The statement reads in part: “On the 20/6/19 at about 9:10pm, Operation Puff Adder operatives in conjunction with Patrol team attached to Ogidi Division while on patrol received a distress call that some cult boys were operating around St Philip’s Church Ogidi in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State.

“Following the distress call, the operatives responded swiftly and rushed to the scene where the hoodlums in their numbers confronted the Patrol teams but were overpowered and four suspects arrested on the spot.”

Mohammed disclosed that the bush where the four suspects were earlier arrested was combed at about 1am by the operatives and another gang member of same syndicate named Tochukwu Okeke of Nkwelle Ogidi was arrested while hiding inside the bush.

Exhibits recovered in their possession include one locally made pistol and three live cartridges.

He said that the case is under investigation while effort is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing accomplices in order to bring them to justice.

Meanwhile, same gang numbering over ten had on the same date at about 8pm robbed one Ukamaka Amobi of Nkwelle Ogidi at Ekeweje Ogidi and dispossessed her of two phones and cash sum of N10,000.

The gang also shot and wounded one Nzubechukwu Okwonko on his hand.