Monday, October 27, 2025 - The Anambra State Police Command has arrested seven suspected cultists who are allegedly being groomed for election thuggery during the governorship election slated for November 8, 2025.
According to Punch, the suspects were arrested during their
initiation ceremony in a bush at Obinagu, Abagana in Njikoka Local Government
Area of the state.
According to a press statement released on Sunday, the
spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that
a 25-litre keg containing red liquid substance, red ritual cloth, two wooden
drums, footwear belonging to the suspects and other accomplices were also
recovered at the scene.
Ikenga stated that operatives of the Special Anti-Cult
Squad, Enugu-Ukwu in collaboration with Agunechemba Vigilante operatives,
arrested the suspects in the early hours of Sunday, adding that they were later
confirmed to be suspected members of the Black Axe Confraternity.
The statement read in part, “In its sustained efforts to
curb cult-related violence and ensure a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the
November 8, 2025 governorship election, operatives of the Special Anti-Cult
Squad, Enugu-Ukwu in collaboration with Agunechemba Vigilante operatives, in
the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 2025 arrested seven suspected members of
the Black Axe Confraternity.
“The suspects were arrested during an initiation ceremony in
a bush at Obinagu, Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area. One 25-litre keg
containing red liquid substance, red ritual cloth, two wooden drums, footwear
belonging to the suspects and other accomplices were also recovered at the
scene.
“The suspects, all males include: Ugorji Emmanuel, 29 years;
Ogamba Chinuike Anthony, 22 years; Chibuzor Agudiegu, 25 years; Destiny Okasi,
22 years; Udewulu Nzube, 19 years; Ifeanyi Anikpe, 21 years and Sunday Akuma,
20 years, respectively.
“Preliminary information revealed that the initiation
activities were part of their evil ceremony and grooming for election thuggery
in Njikoka and Anaocha Local Government areas.
“The suspects on sighting the operatives, attempted to flee,
but were successfully apprehended after a swift chase.”
According to him, an Investigation is ongoing to identify
and arrest fleeing members of the syndicate and to uncover other linked cult
cells within the axis.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu,
has reiterated that the Command will not tolerate activities that threaten
peace, especially in the build-up to the governorship election.
“The CP urged parents, community leaders and youth groups to
intensify moral guidance and discourage involvement in cultism and political
violence.
“He also called on the public to continue providing credible
information that can assist in preventing crime and apprehending criminal
elements,” the statement concluded.
In another development, the Anambra State Police Command
arrested a notorious suspected cultist and political thug identified as Onyeaka
Odogwu also known as “Red Angel”, aged 29 years.
During the operation, the police also recovered two pump
action guns, two English-made double-barrel guns, three live cartridges, red
cloth and regalia bearing cult insignia and three black caps as well as two red
caps with inscriptions associated with Vikings Confraternity.
Ikenga, who disclosed the development in a statement, noted
that the arrest was made on October 24, at about 11:30 hours, following an
intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad in
Enugu-Ukwu.
Ikenga said, “In a sustained effort to ensure a peaceful,
safe, and credible forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State, the
Anambra State Police Command has arrested a notorious suspected cultist and
political thug identified as Onyeaka Odogwu aka Red Angel, aged 29 years.
“The team also recovered two pump action guns, two
English-made double-barrel guns, three live cartridges, red cloth and regalia
bearing cult insignia and three black caps as well as two red caps with
inscriptions associated with Vikings Confraternity.
“The arrest was made on 24th October 2025, at about
11.30hrs, following an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Special
Anti-Cult Squad, Enugu-Ukwu.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a
member of the Vikings Confraternity and also linked himself to activities
involving political thuggery.”
According to Ikenga, following his confession, the suspect
in the early hours of October 26, led SPACS operatives to their armoury at
Omor, where above mentioned exhibits were recovered.
“All recovered exhibits have been documented as evidence,
while further investigations aimed at tracking and apprehending other gang
members and associates mentioned by the suspect are currently ongoing.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reaffirms
that the Command will not allow cult groups, armed gangs, or political thugs to
threaten the peace and electoral stability of the State.
“The CP urged parents, community leaders and youth groups to
discourage young people from being recruited into cult-related activities,
while assuring Ndi Anambra of enhanced security deployment across all Local
Government Areas,” the statement added.
PUNCH Metro had in September reported that the Anambra State
Police Command arrested four suspected cultists following a violent clash in
Nsugbe community, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.
Our correspondent gathered that the suspects were involved
in the violent clash that occurred in the community which was said to have
occurred behind Nwafor Orizu College of Education, where some miscreants were
sighted attacking one another with cutlasses, broken bottles, daggers and other
dangerous weapons.
Ikenga, confirmed the clash, stating that the suspects were
arrested during a joint operation of police operatives with local vigilante
operatives.
He said during the fracas, one of the suspects sustained
machete cuts, while some others fled into a nearby bush.
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