Enugu Police Arrest 20 Suspected Cultists, Drug Peddlers in Major Anti-Crime Sweep

The Enugu State Police Command says it has arrested 20 male suspects in a series of intelligence-led anti-cultism and anti-crime operations carried out across the state, recovering suspected hard drugs, offensive weapons, 22 motorcycles, a tricycle and other exhibits.

The operations, conducted between July 7 and July 14, 2026, targeted suspected cult activities, drug trafficking and other violent crimes in different parts of the state.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the most recent operation took place at about 12:00 noon on July 14, when operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on credible intelligence, stormed Banana Estate, Independence Layout, Enugu.

The police said the suspects were allegedly using motorcycles and a tricycle to terrorise residents, rob unsuspecting members of the public, vandalise property and peddle suspected hard drugs.

During the operation, two suspects identified as Ogbodo Chebe, 40, who police described as a suspected member of the Abashie Confraternity and an alleged youth leader, and Oguma Onyebuchi, 27, were arrested.

Police said quantities of a substance suspected to be “Colos” were recovered from the suspects, while several other suspects escaped, abandoning eight motorcycles of different brands and a tricycle, all of which were recovered.

In another operation carried out on July 7 at about 8:00 a.m., operatives on crime prevention patrol raided identified criminal hideouts and blackspots in the Emene and Eke Obinagu areas of Enugu.

The raid led to the arrest of Mba James Chinonso, 35; Ani Nonso, 31; Ike Nnana, 27; Chiagozie Nnamani Isaac, 19; Ede Onyenaturuchi, 21; and Ozoemena Michael, 28.

According to the police, large quantities of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, methamphetamine, locally known as “Mkpụrụ-mmiri”, and suspected cocaine were recovered from the suspects. The Command said the operation disrupted ongoing criminal activities within the affected communities.

Earlier on the same day, at about 12:00 a.m., police operatives also acted on intelligence and disrupted what they described as the public celebration of the alleged “7/7” anniversary of the Black Axe (Aye) Confraternity at Owerre Eze-Oba community in Udenu Local Government Area.

The police said the gathering had caused panic among residents before officers moved in and arrested 12 suspects.

Those arrested were identified as Obinna Odo, 22; Kenechi Odo, 39; Mba Ikenna, 37; Ugwuoke Peter, 27; Odo Ejike, 35; Ugwuanyi Chinedu, 28; Chinaza Kingsley, 20; Ebubechukwu Stanley, 21; Eze Chigekwu, 26; Arua Ekene, 21; Eze Ikenna, 38; and Odo Jude, 34.

Exhibits recovered from the scene included one axe, a set of drum instruments and 14 motorcycles.

The Command said investigations are ongoing to apprehend other suspects who escaped during the operations, determine the full extent of the alleged criminal activities of those arrested and recover additional exhibits where necessary.

Police added that all the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Commending the operatives for the successful operations, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven policing against cultism, illicit drug trafficking and other violent crimes.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to improving safety and security across the state.