By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has expressed serious concerns over rising cases of moral decadence among youths in the state, especially in the areas of cultism, drug abuse, and staged kidnappings, even as it announced the arrest of 54 suspects and recovery of several bags of illicit drugs in recent operations.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at the Command’s headquarters in Awka on the recent security breakthroughs and ongoing efforts to rid the state of cultism, drugs, and other social vices.
SP Ikenga said the 54 suspects, comprising 39 males and 15 females, were arrested in separate raids conducted by operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS) and other tactical units of the Command.
According to him, the arrests were part of intensified surveillance and intelligence-led operations following disturbing trends of cult-related killings, fake kidnappings, and high rate of drug abuse among youths, most of whom, he said, fall within the age bracket of 18 to 26 years.
He cited recent cases in which young couples conspired to stage their own kidnaps and extort huge sums of money from their parents. In one instance, he said, a young woman connived with her boyfriend to demand ₦10 million from her parents but eventually collected ₦3 million before they were apprehended. In another, he added, a boy and his girlfriend staged a similar self-kidnap, collecting ₦1 million from the girl’s parents after initially demanding ₦10 million.
“These kinds of disturbing incidents, coupled with the resurgence of cult-related activities like the indiscriminate shooting by suspected cultists during a burial at Ezi-Ogidi which claimed four lives and left 15 others injured, show how much drugs and cultism are fueling unacceptable behaviors in our society,” Ikenga said, describing the situation as “unacceptable” and partly attributable to poor parental supervision.
On specific breakthroughs, the Police Spokesman explained that, on September 12, operatives arrested a 25-year-old suspect, Chidera Obochi, at Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area. He said upon searching the suspect, dried leaves suspected to be cannabis were recovered, and further interrogation led to a hideout in Umudioka Village, where 11 bags of suspected hemp were seized.
SP Ikenga, who was flanked during the briefing by the Commander of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad (SPACS), CSP Ahmadu Ayuba; and the Chief Superintendent of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Anambra State Command, Egbegolu Chidiebere Johnmark, said the recovered substances would be handed over to the NDLEA, for further action, which was also symbolically done shortly after the briefing.
According to him, in a similar raid on a notorious black spot at Ogidi, Idemili North, on September 14, police operatives arrested 53 suspects, made up of 38 males and 15 females, who were allegedly linked to cult-related activities. The suspects are currently undergoing screening and profiling, after which those found culpable will be charged to court.
Ikenga stressed that both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches are being deployed, including questioning suspected cultists, raiding identified hideouts, and intensifying patrols to curb the menace. He reiterated that drug abuse remains a major factor emboldening youths to engage in crime.
Responding to questions from journalists about a viral video showing security operatives allegedly manhandling a Commissioner in Anambra State, Ikenga said the Command was aware of the video but had not received any formal complaint.
While saying there was no need to “overflog” the incident, he also expressed hope that in due time, it will be properly addressed, as security operatives seen in the video are identifiable.
Also reacting to the question and the concerns that some the perceived inflammatory exchanges and media war among some politicians and their supporters ahead of the November 8 governorship election in the state might overheat the polity, Ikenga said the Police had also observed the trend but had yet to receive official petitions.
He however reminded political actors and their supporters that freedom of speech does not excuse libel or cybercrime.
“There are cyber laws that guide what people say, and individuals should take note of this as campaigns intensify,” he cautioned.
The PPRO, who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reassured Ndi Anambra of the Command’s readiness to sustain ongoing operations and restore sanity, while urging parents, guardians, and community leaders to intensify efforts at mentoring young people away from drugs and cultism.
