The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspected cult members, 21-year-old Oluebube Ifediorah and 25-year-old Offorbuike Emmanuel, during an operation that reportedly prevented a planned violent clash in Enugwu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area.
The suspects were apprehended on Thursday by operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad following credible intelligence that a cult group was gathering in preparation for a rival attack.
In a statement on Saturday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrest and said a locally-made double-barrel gun and two live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.
According to Ikenga, “Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Special Anti-Cult Squad, acting on actionable intelligence received regarding the gathering of a dangerous cult group for a planned rivalry fight in the early hours of December 4, 2025, swiftly mobilised to the scene.
“At the scene, the anti-cult operatives arrested one Oluebube Ifediorah ‘M’ aged 21 years and Offorbuike Emmanuel ‘M’ aged 25 years, respectively. The team also recovered a locally-made double-barrelled shotgun and two live cartridges.”
He added that the firearm was discovered inside a red bag carried by Ifediorah, while several other suspected cult members fled into the bush as officers arrived.
Ikenga assured that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects.
“Efforts are in top gear to track down and apprehend the remaining members of the gang who escaped,” he said, noting that the operation aligns with the Command’s sustained campaign against cult-related violence across the state.
He further quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, as urging residents to provide useful information to assist security agencies in combating cultism and other criminal activities.
DAILY GAZETTE recall that the Command had arrested seven suspected cultists on November 8, 2025, in Obinagu, Abagana, during what was believed to be their initiation ceremony ahead of the governorship election.
Items recovered at that scene included ritual materials, drums, footwear, and a 25-litre keg containing a red substance.
