The Anambra State Police Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intensified its fight against drug syndicates, leading to the arrest of 54 suspects and the seizure of illicit substances valued at about N10 million.
The Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu, represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this during a press briefing at the State Police Command headquarters in Awka, where bags of suspected Indian hemp were handed over to the NDLEA.
He described the arrested suspects as cultists picked up during a raid on a notorious black spot in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Council. According to him, 39 males and 15 females were apprehended in the late-night operation carried out on Sunday.
The raid followed credible intelligence indicating that cult groups frequently gathered at the location to plan and launch criminal activities. Ikenga confirmed that the suspects are currently undergoing screening and profiling, with those found culpable to be charged in court.
The Commissioner of Police linked the use of hard drugs to rising cult-related violence and expressed concern over increasing moral decay among young people aged 18 to 26. He noted that despite previous clampdowns, crime trends such as cultism and staged kidnappings persist in the State.
Citing recent cult-related attacks, Orutugu stressed the urgency of addressing these threats and assured residents that the Command remains committed to restoring sanity, safeguarding lives and property, and ensuring the state remains safe for law-abiding citizens.
* Media Report