There is no trace of abduction of an archbishop, his family members and three pastors in Anambra State contrary to media reports.
Recall that there were media reports that such incidents happened in South East.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated on Sunday that “from inquiries made on the above news from our respective area commands, police divisional headquarters, and otherwise, there is no such record of any incident as mentioned in the state”.
According to him, “The command has been relatively calm as police and other security agencies are strategically positioned in many areas of the state, while some operatives are on crime prevention patrol aimed to address any untoward situations.”
He called on the members of the public to assist the police with information regarding the incident “if such happened to enable us to embark on the investigation”.
In another development, seven suspected cultists and armed robbers were arrested in Friday in Awka.
SP Ikenga said items recovered from them are a cut-size double barrel gun, one tricycle without a registration number, and some hard drugs.
He gave the names of the suspects as Chukwuemka Ozoekwe, 18; Chidozie Anagor, 18; Chukwuemeka Oyeoka, 18; Ebuka Okoye, 17; Olisa Obi, 19; Chidubem Nwakwu, 20, and Nwankwo Kosisochukwu, all males.
He, however, stated that one Makuo Nwosu, aka ‘Baby’, and one other person whose name is yet to be identified had been declared wanted.
“Police attached to Special Anti-Cult Squad while on patrol at Unizik Junction intercepted all males and five occupants, including the driver of a tricycle,” he said, adding that, “While operatives tried to question them, the occupants escaped but Chukwuemka Ozoekwe was arrested.”
According to him, Chukwuemeka later led the police to their criminal den, where Chidozie Anagor, 18, and Chukwuemeka Oyeoka, 18, were arrested.
He said during the raid in their harbor, the operatives arrested one Ebuka Okoye, 17; Olisa Obi, 19; Chidubem Nwakwu, 20, and Nwankwo Kosisochukwu.
Quoting him, “The suspects confessed to being members of the Vipers Cult group and they are one of the gangs terrorizing Awka metropolis recently. The suspects also confessed that they were on a mission to rob the road users of their phones and personal belongings before the arrest.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration and acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Fidelis Ogarabe, has charged the operatives to sustain the tempo in the fight against crimes in the state.
He also assured Ndi Anambra of police protection, and directed that the suspects be charged to court on the conclusion of the investigations.