The Anambra State police command has paraded 30 persons suspected to be members of criminal gangs including kidnappers, armed robbers and secret cults who specialize in terrorizing people around communities in the state.
The Anambra State Police commissioner, Garba Umar who paraded the suspects before journalists said most of them were apprehended through information made available to the command by concerned individuals.
He expressed delight at the level of security in the state and particularly the responsiveness of his men, who he said are always at alert to ensure that the promise of a secured Anambra as made by the command was met.
Among the suspects paraded are; a 26 year-old Army deserter, Ebeje Nnamdi who went on AWOL from 20 Mechanized Battalion, Taraba state who specializes in training armed robbers.
Two of Ebeje’s trainees; Peter Ali and Ugwuokpe Nnaemeka who are members of a six-man gang that specialize in operating on motorcycles, robbing fuel stations and killing policemen were also arrested.
Umar also announced the arrest of another set of armed robbers; Sunday Chigbo and Onyebuchi Eweani in Ogidi community who were arrested with arms and a bag consisting property stolen from a victim.
Three kidnap suspects; Chukwudi Nwabundo, Obiora Madubueze and Chinaza Udeezue, members of a kidnap gang were also arrested, and their victim, John Ifediora of Umuganagu village in Oyi was rescued.
The command also paraded 22 youths suspected to be cultists, ranging from 16 to 30 years who were rounded up at their meeting ground in Nnewi, where they converged for initiation. They include members of Black Axe confraternity, Junior Vikings Confraternity, Ayees, Aro, Baggar and 2-2 cult groups.
The commissioner urged members of the public to feel free to volunteer information to the force as they would be treated anonymously.
He said the command would continue to fish out criminal elements in the society to ensure that the state is free of violent crimes, especially in the run up to the Anambra governorship election.
