The police in Enugu State, Nigeria’s South-east, say they have dislodged some armed robbery and cult networks in multiple operations in the state.
The police spokesperson in the state, Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Thursday, said 13 crime suspects – all males- were arrested during the operations.
|
|
Mr Ndukwe, a superintendent of police, said the suspects were involved in conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms, and cult-related activities in the state.
“These arrests, made during a series of recent tactical and intelligence-guided operations, also resulted in the recovery of firearms, vehicles, and other incriminating evidence,” he said.
|
|
|
|---|
The operations
Mr Ndukwe said the multiple operations began at about 10 a.m. on 15 July when police operatives attached to the Ogui Divisional Police Headquarters arrested a 30-year-old armed robbery suspect, Ifeanyi Ede.
He said the operatives recovered from the suspect a pistol-like object, later identified as a Spark-L electronic gas lighter.
The spokesperson said the suspect and one other male suspect now at large, on the same day, allegedly used the object to rob a taxi driver of N30,000, his vehicle key, a mobile phone valued at N17,000 and his bank ATM card.
“The suspects had boarded the taxi from Independence Layout to Ogui, Enugu. On arrival at their destination, they used the fake gun to rob the driver.
“However, the operatives promptly arrested Ede and recovered the robbed phone, while his accomplice fled,” he said.
“Investigations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.”
Mr Ndukwe said, in another operation on 21 July, operatives from the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad arrested three male suspects in Umuasi Ngwo, a community in Udi Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson identified the arrested suspects as Stephen Chidiebere, also known as Shaggy, 42; Arinze Udeh, also known as Anonymous, 30; and Onuigbo Kingsley, 49.
He said the operatives later recovered from the suspects a cut-to-size double-barreled gun.
“Their arrest followed the earlier apprehension of a 31-year-old male suspect, Ikemefuna Ani, also known as Majority, who had been arrested in connection with a case of conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms, and cultism.
“Preliminary investigations link these suspects to the Black Axe Confraternity,” he said.
Mr Ndukwe also said, in a separate operation between 23 July and 28 July, police operatives of the same Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad arrested two suspects: Udofia Richard, 43, from Akwa Ibom State, and Richard Arinzechukwu Nwaomu, 32, from in Imo State.
He said the operation, which was conducted in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was based on the confessional statements by two earlier arrested suspects: Okechukwu Ogbonna, 65, from Abia State, and Charles Ezeonuji, 52, from Anambra State.
The police spokesperson noted that Messrs Ogbonna and Ezeonuji were currently under investigation for conspiracy and armed robbery.
“Two suspected stolen vehicles were recovered from them: a red Toyota Camry and an ash-coloured Kia Soul,” he stated.
More operation
Mr Ndukwe said, in a similar operation on 30 July, operatives of the same Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad arrested three suspects: Ebuka Odinko, 35; Chiemerie Amano, 25; and Onyebuchi Onyekwere, 24.
The police spokesperson said the suspects were arrested in Oyofo-Oghe in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
He said the arrest followed the confessional statement of an earlier arrested suspect, Ekene Akpata, also known as Odumodu.
The 35-year-old, according to the police, has been under investigation for conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of ammunition, and cultism.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that they are members of the Vikings Confraternity and have been involved in a series of armed robbery incidents during which they dispossessed residents of their valuables,” the spokesperson said.
Prohibited in Nigeria
Cultism, also known as secret society, is outlawed in Nigeria.
However, the laws vary state by state. In Enugu State, for instance, cultism is outlawed in Section 495(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 30, vol. II Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.
It is also outlawed in Section 8 of Public Order (Prohibition of Secret Cults and their activities) Law No. 17 Revised of Enugu State of Nigeria 2009.
The law prohibits the formation and operation of secret cults and any activities associated with them.
Like cultism, armed robbery is outlawed in Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) ACT 2004.
The Act prescribes a minimum of 21 years imprisonment for offenders upon conviction.
READ ALSO: Why our suspension by Nwifuru is justifiable – Ebonyi commissioner
The offenders face a maximum death penalty upon conviction.
Several persons have been convicted in Nigeria for offences of cultism and robbery across Nigeria.
In July 2021, a Magistrate Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, sentenced a student of Kogi State Polytechnic, Shehu Mohammed, to eight years’ imprisonment for illegal possession of a firearm and cultism.
An Abeokuta High Court, in 2021, sentenced two ex-convicts to death by hanging for conspiracy and armed robbery.
Discover more from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
