By Okey Maduforo Awka.
The Police in Anambra state has arrested ten suspected cultists at Ogbunike in Oyi local government area.
The Police also raided an Indian hemp farm owned by a man in Awka who was believed to be mad and has been managing the farm for two years under nose of security operatives.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer SP Tochukwu Ikenga in a statement saying d that the arrest was made by the Police operatives attached to the Special Anti – Cultism Squad Enuwu Ukwu .
“In the early hours of today 18th September, 2025 acting on credible intelligence, stormed the residence of Ndefoh Chijoke ‘M’, aged 23 years in Ogbunike village, Oyi local government, a strong member of the Aye Confraternity (Black Axe), who was sighted in the company of other suspected cultists. Upon a search of him, an Ontario CA American-made pistol with one live round of ammunition was recovered from the suspect’
“Also, in a follow-up on the information obtained on the spot from the suspect, 9 (Nine) other suspects were arrested. They include: Obuh Onyedika ‘M’ 27yrs, Obuh Confidence ‘M’ 19yrs, Mbanusi Nnaemeka ‘M’ 22yrs, Godwin Udebeh ‘M’ 31yrs, Chizoba Onuake ‘M’ 19yrs, Ohazunike Martins ‘M’ 23yrs, Ndife Chidorie ‘M’ 23yrs, Nwosu Chinecherem ‘M’ 22yrs, and Caleb Nwafor ‘M’ 26yrs.”
He explained that the suspects are currently undergoing screening and profiling, after which those found culpable will be charged in court.
Ikenga further confirmed the arrest of a 43-year old man, Patrick Ojele, who pretended to be mentally unstable while secretly cultivating a marijuana farm in Awka for over two years.
He said that suspect nabbed on the 17th September 2025 during a routine patrol along the Awka–Enugu Expressway near Ngozika Estate. He later led the team to the hidden farm, where large quantities of weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa were recovered.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc MNIPS PhD notes that the arrest reflects the Command’s renewed strategy of cutting off criminal supplies by targeting drug dealers who embolden cultists and violent offenders” he said.
