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From Isaac Ojo and Ifeoma Ejiofor, Nnewi
Police operatives attached to the Anambra State Police Command have arrested eight suspected cultists.
Following the gruesome murder of two yet-to be identified young men at the Miralce Junction by Unizik back gate, Ifite Awka on Sunday 18th April, five suspects are now in police net.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Ikenga Tochukwu(DSP), made the disclosure in a press statement, Tuesday.
Tochukwu said that the operatives quickly mobilized to the scene and the hoodlums on sighting the police, took to their heels.
He said that during the hot chase by the police, five suspects were arrested and that investigations are on-going to apprehend other fleeing gang members.
In another development, the PPRO said that police operatives attached to Anti-cultism unit of the command have also arrested three suspected cultists at Nise, Awka South local government area of the state.
The suspects according to him are twenty three year old Chinedu Aniegbunam, seventeen year old Okoye Tochukwu and twenty three year old Okechuwu Chijioke.
Tochukwu said that some of the exhibits recovered from the three suspects include; one English-made pistol, one locally- made pistol, five live cartridges and two motorcycles.
He said that the suspects were actually arrested by operatives on patrol, who flagged them down when they drove in a suspicious manner along Nise route.
The PPRO said that the three suspects have voluntarily confessed to be members of Payton Confraternity. Meanwhile, The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Monday Bala(CP) Kuryas has reassured the public that the command under his watch will continue to purse criminals from all nooks and crannies in the state, and will involve the communities in ensuring safety of lives and property in the State.
The CP also implored well meaning members of the public resident in the state to co-oporate with the police and report suspicious person(s)or movement(s)to the nearest Police Station or through the Command Emergency numbers 112 or call 07039194332 for prompt response.