The operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested two persons suspected to be cultists and armed robbers, along with various weapons in their possession.

The suspects, Okechukwu Chinwuko, 27, and Ezenwa Chinedu, 22, were arrested by the operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Squad in Enugu-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.

A statement issued on Monday by the command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that the suspects were arrested on Saturday after a raid on a black spot in the area.

READ ALSO: Tension As Anglican Archbishop Goes Missing In Anambra

Ikenga said, “Police operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Squad Enugu-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State in the late hours of Saturday, December 7, 2024, acting on credible information, raided an identified black spot in Umunaga Village, Awka South LG.

“During the operation, one Okechukwu Chinwuko (m) aged 27 years of Umunaga Village and Ezenwa Chinedu (m) 22 years of Umuneri Village were arrested.

“Other incriminating objects recovered include one pump action gun, four live cartridges, cutlass, criminal charms and substances suspected to be hard drugs. The operatives also rescued two female victims who the suspects had forcibly abused sexually.

READ ALSO: Police Apprehend Suspected Cultist In Anambra, Recover AK-47

“The arrested suspects are currently undergoing interrogation on their modus operandi and further details shall be communicated in due course.”

Ikenga also added that the operatives in Igbo-Ukwu Divisional Police Headquarters, on Saturday, recovered one white Peugeot J5 Boxer bus with Reg No. AKL 896 XB, a roller, among other items.

He said the hoodlums, while vandalising a Lister model electricity generator attached to the MTN mast located opposite Saint Martin’s Catholic Church, Umudege, took to their heels and fled the scene on sighting the police team,

He noted that efforts have been activated to arrest the fleeing criminals, calling on residents of the area to assist the police with useful information in apprehending the fleeing suspects.

The Nigerian Police Force, Kebbi State Command has rescued 36 victims of kidnappers in the Danko/ Wasagu Local Government Area of the state.

This is according to a statement made available to our correspondent on Monday, by the spokesman of the command, SP Nafiu Abubakar, on behalf of the state Commissioner for apolice, CP Bello M. Sani.

Abubakar said the rescue operation was part of the command’s ongoing efforts to combat banditry and other serious crimes in the state.

READ ALSO: Police Rescue Lawyer, Niece From Kidnappers’ Den In Akwa Ibom

The statement read, “In its sustained onslaught against banditry and other heinous crimes in the state, on December 8, 2024 at about 1800hrs, gunmen in their large numbers barricaded Mairairai/Bena Road in Danko/Wasagu LGA and kidnapped 36 people who were coming back from their respective farms.

“On receipt of the report, a combined team of the police, Army and vigilante swiftly mobilised to the scene and engaged the bandits in a gun duel, overpowered them, forcing the bandits to escape into the forest with gunshot wounds and successfully rescued all the 36 victims unhurt.

“They have since been reunited with their families. In view of the above tremendous achievement recorded by the operatives, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M. Sani, commended their bravery, resilience and professionalism and urged them to be more committed in not making Kebbi State a safe haven for criminals.

“The CP equally charged the police and other security agencies operating in the area to intensify synergy among them with a view to decisively deal with the bandits and other unscrupulous elements”.

A trigger-happy policeman in Delta State has been identified, arrested and detained for reportedly gunning down a 17-year-old boy, Emeka Odogwu, in Ozoro community, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state.

The gory incident was said to have occurred on Saturday night when policemen stormed the area after having found fireworks, otherwise known as knockout, in the victim’s possession.

The PUNCH gathered that efforts by the security operatives to arrest the teenager were resisted and when he attempted to escape, one of the policemen reportedly opened fire and killed him.

When contacted on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident noting, “The policeman has been identified and detained.”

READ ALSO: Trigger-happy Policeman Gun Down Young Boy Over Knockout In Delta Community

The PPRO also said that the state Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has waded into the matter.

“The CP has assured the family of justice”, Edafe affirmed.

In a swift reaction, a human rights group, Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement a.k.a. “No Justice, No Peace”, has strongly condemned the alleged killing of the young boy by the policeman.

The group’s National Coordinator, Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, in a statement, urged the Delta State Police Command, to “carry out a thorough investigation on the matter and bring the erring officer to justice.”

READ ALSO: N’Delta Not Part Of Biafra, PANDEF Warns Secessionists

While condoling with the deceased’s family, Agberen also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians especially indigenes of Ozoro community to “be civil in their approach at all times, especially when dealing with armed police officers.”

He said, “I sympathise with the family of the young boy who was allegedly shot by a police officer at Ozoro last night, arising from knockouts (fireworks) that were found in his possession.

“It was alleged that the young man resisted arrest and while he was running, he was shot by one of the police officers.

“I condemn in strong terms, the unprofessional conduct of the police operative alleged to have perpetuated the act.”