Anambra Police Demobilize Cultist Gang responsible for killing Officers, Attack on Funeral Party at Ebenebe; Recover Cache of arms including stolen Police weapons; Nab native doctor, 5 others over assault on Lady in video.

Against the backdrop of repeated killings and attacks by a notorious gang of cultists in Anambra state resulting to the killing of the Chairman,Tricycle Owners Association near Unizik junction and killing of mourner’s at Ebenebe, the Anambra Police Command has demobilized the gang after a shootout.

The shoot-out followed the deployment of extra intelligence gathering infrastructure and discreet investigation resources by the Command to stop the criminal activities of the gang.

Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng who made this known during a press briefing, listed the cache of arms recovered from the gang to include 2 Ak 47 rifles, 3 pump action guns, 3 locally made beretta pistols, one locally made Chief recover pistol, 9 Ak-47 magazine, 2 battle axes, assorted ammunition for the firearms and the Mercedes Benz V-Booth reg. No Lagos HC 661 AAA with which the gang was operating.

The identity of the leader of the gang who met his waterloo was given as, one Uchenna Nwobu a.k.a Anali while  another gang member was arrested.

CP Echeng said, “Many of you are aware of the menace of cultism in the State particularly in Awka and environs.

“You will recall that on 14th December, 2021, Cultists attacked the Chairman of Tricycle Owners Association in broad day light near Unizik junction.

“Two Police Officers who were in the vicinity were killed and their weapons two AK 47 rifles carted away.

“Again on 26th February, 2022 the same cultist gang attacked a funeral party at Ebenebe in Awka North LGA killing several mourners.

“In the past two weeks several members of the gang were arrested by Police Operatives working in synergy with important stakeholders in the security sector.

“On Tuesday 15th March, 2022 information was received that the same cult group had launched an attack on Unizik vigilante group at miracle junction, ifite, Awka. 

“Police Operatives were mobilized to lay ambush for the gang as they fled from the scene. 

“The effort paid off as the Police succeeded in demobilizing the gang and recovering a cache of weapons which included the two AK-47 rifles earlier stolen from the two Policemen murdered on 14th December, 2021. 

“The following are the weapons and other items recovered; two Ak47, three pump actions guns, three locally made beretta pistols, one locally made Chief recover pistol, Nine Ak-47 magazine, two battle axes, assorted ammunition for the firearms above and the Mercedes Benz V-Booth reg. No Lagos HC 661 AAA with which the gang was operating was also recovered.

“The leader of the gang, one Uchenna Nwobu a.k.a Anali was killed while the other gang member was arrested.

“Investigation is ongoing aimed at tracking down other members of the gang and establishing the rightful owner of the recovered car.

“We have also taken note of the grievous at of jungle justice in the trending video of the clash between the cultists and a local vigilante group. 

“We condemn the barbaric act. Investigation will unravel identities of perpetrators and they will be brought to justice.

“We wish to advise all those involved in providing protection for our communities to refrain from resort to self help. 

On the assault of a Lady over alleged blame for her husband’s death, the CP said, “I want to use this opportunity to update you on the video that recently trended where a lady was indecently assaulted and publicly disgraced over alleged incident of causing her husband’s death. 

“The Command operatives have arrested a total of six additional suspects including a native doctor who were Identified during the study of the video by police operatives. 

“The suspects are: Anthony Obanye 44years, Udalor Egwuatu Nnalue 46years, Godwin Ezechukwu 42yrs, Nonso Ezechukwu 20years, Philomena Onyekwe 27years and Chineyere Mmachi 32years.

“Investigation revealed that the deceased, Mr Udorji Egwatu, had been sick for some time when his bother, Mr Udalor took him to Anthony a native doctor. 

“Anthony confessed to have taken the decease on some spiritual cleansing and administered him some herds before he died.

“It was Anthony who allegedly told the family of the deceased that the cause of his death was as a result of the wife infidelity.

“We also to want use opportunity to advise the members of the public to stop sharing the video. This will help to protect the dignity of the woman. 

“I wish to assure you that no stone shall be left unturned in the going investigation. Justice shall be served. 

“Furthermore the Command Operatives on stop and search on 23/2/2022 along Onitsha Enugu expressway arrested One Awoke Friday and Ezuma Chukwuemeka. 

“While trafficking a large quantity of 250mg of Tramadol and other prohibited drugs. 

“The suspects where conveying the drugs in a Toyota Hiace bus to Ebonyi State. 

“Meanwhile the case has been transferred to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

“All the suspects in Police custody shall be charged to court at the end of investigation.”

END