The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 53 alleged cultists in its recent raid of criminal hideouts in the state.

A statement made available on Thursday by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed said that the development stemmed from the command’s determination to sustain the ongoing manhunt for secret cults saying that it has become a major social problem in the state.

According to him, the operation was carried out by police operatives attached to the command’s Operation Puff Adder in conjunction with Special Anti Cult Unit.

Mohammed reeled out areas of arrest to include; Abba, Abagana, Ukwulu, Oko, Amaokpala and Awgbu community.

He said: “At Abba/Abagana axis, 15 suspected cultists were arrested; at Ukwulu, 6 suspected cultists were arrested; at Oko/Amaokpola/Awgbu axis eight suspected cultists were arrested.

“24 of the suspects were arrested at Nteje, Ogidi, Amawbia, Urum and Ihiala areas of the state on different dates.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include; 3 cutlasses, 4 Axes, a substance suspected to be cocaine and some quantities of dry leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa.”

The PPRO further said that from the arrests, 15 were screened out, 9 were charged to court while 29 were undergoing investigation.

Meanwhile, police detectives attached to Ogidi Division in conjunction with Puff Adder operatives have arrested a notorious armed robbery suspect known as Emeka Ikenna.

The suspect was nabbed following intelligence report that led police to his hideout at Ikenga, Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

The PPRO said that the suspect on sighting the Police escaped through the back door and effort is ongoing to get him arrested in order to bring him to justice.