Pictures of the suspects and the exhibits recovered. Photo Credit: Enugu Command PPRO Unit
By Tony Adibe
The Enugu State Police Command said its operatives have arrested 20 male suspects and recovered hard drugs, offensive weapons, twenty-two motorcycles, a tricycle, and other incriminating exhibits.
In a press release issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Daniel Ndukwe on Wednesday, the command said the arrests were made as the operatives have sustained the intelligence-led offensive against “cultism, drug trafficking, and other violent crimes, recording significant operational successes in separate operations conducted across the state from July 7 to 14, 2026.”
Ndukwe said that the operations resulted in the arrest of twenty male suspects and the recovery of hard drugs, offensive weapons, twenty-two motorcycles, a tricycle, and other incriminating exhibits.
Giving detail of the operations, the PPRO said in the press release, “On July 14, 2026, at about 12:00 noon, operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on credible intelligence, stormed Banana Estate, Independence Layout, where suspected cultists operating with motorcycles and a tricycle were reportedly terrorising residents, robbing unsuspecting members of the public, vandalising property, and peddling suspected hard drugs.
“The operation led to the arrest of two male suspects: Ogbodo Chebe (aged 40), a suspected member of the Abashie Confraternity and an alleged youth Leader, and Oguma Onyebuchi (aged 27). Quantities of substance suspected to be Colos were recovered from them, while others took to their heels, abandoning eight motorcycles of different brands, and one tricycle, which were also recovered.”
Ndukwe further recalled that in a different operation on “July 7, 2026, at about 8:00 a.m., the same operatives, while on crime prevention patrol, raided identified criminal hideouts and blackspots at Emene and Eke Obinagu areas of Enugu, arresting Mba James Chinonso (aged 35), Ani Nonso (aged 31), Ike Nnana (aged 27), Chiagozie Nnamani Isaac (aged 19), Ede Onyenaturuchi (aged 21), and Ozoemena Michael (aged 28). Recovered from the suspects were large quantities of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, methamphetamine (“Mkpụrụ-mmiri), and wraps of suspected cocaine. The operation successfully disrupted criminal activities in the areas.”
He said: “Earlier the same day, at about 12:00 a.m., the operatives acted on credible intelligence and disrupted the public celebration of the alleged 7/7 anniversary of the Black Axe (Aye) Confraternity at Owerre Eze-Oba community in Udenu Local Government Area, which had caused panic among residents. The operatives arrested the following male suspects: Obinna Odo (aged 22), Kenechi Odo (aged 39), Mba Ikenna (aged 37), Ugwuoke Peter (aged 27), Odo Ejike (aged 35), Ugwuanyi Chinedu (aged 28), Chinaza Kingsley (aged 20), Ebubechukwu Stanley (aged 21), Eze Chigekwu (aged 26), Arua Ekene (aged 21), Eze Ikenna (aged 38), and Odo Jude (aged 34). Exhibits recovered include one axe, a set of drum instruments, and fourteen motorcycles.”
The PPRO explained that investigations into the cases “are ongoing to apprehend other suspects that fled, establish the full extent of the criminal activities of those arrested, and recover additional exhibits where necessary.” According to him, the arrested suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has lauded the operatives for the successful operations and reaffirmed the commitment of the Command to “sustaining intelligence-driven policing against cultism, illicit drug trafficking, and other violent crimes”.
Giwa advised Enugu residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to the police to enhance public safety and security across Enugu State, Ndukwe said, referencing Giwa.
