Operation Puff Adder Records Another Breakthrough In Anambra

 CHUKA UBAH

 Police operatives attached to the Anambra State Police Command’s Operation Puff Adder in conjunction with Special Anti Cultism Unit (SPACS) have arrested at various locations within the state 90 suspected cultists in continuation of its raids on their hideouts and black spots.

According to SP Haruna Mohammed, PPRO, Anambra State Police Command, arrests were made as followed: on 31^st June, 2019, at Obosi axis, 6 suspected cultists arrested. On 1^st July, 2019, at Ogidi , 6 suspected cultists arrested. 0n 2nd July, 2019, at Ihiala axis, 15 suspected cultists were arrested. On 3rd July, 2019, at Awka, 12 suspected cultists arrested. On 4th July, 2019, at Nsugbe, 15 suspected cultists arrested. On 5^th July, 2019, at Oko, 12 suspected cultists arrested. On 6th July, 2019, at Onitsha axis, 18 suspected cultists arrested. On 7th July, 2019, at Igbariam/Awkuzu axis, 6 suspected cultists arrested respectively.

SP Mohammed said that from all the raids carried out, a total number of 90 suspects have been arrested. 28 were screened out, 15 suspects were charged to court. 12 suspects were placed under police supervision for being under aged while 35 others are undergoing investigation.

Meanwhile, exhibits recovered from the suspects included six machetes, three daggers, one black beret and some quantities of weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa.

Consequently, on the 8^th July, 2019, at about 11pm, following intelligence report, Police detectives attached to Ogidi Division in conjunction with vigilante group arrested one Praise Okolie Tochukwu at Nkwelle Ogidi of the same address.

The suspect, Tochukwu, allegedly conspired with his accomplices now at large and snatched at gunpoint a Toyota spider car with registration number FJK 54 CC from Okpalaezekoli Ifeanyi of Omogba Phase 1, Onitsha, around 7pm same date.

The suspect confessed to the crime, the vehicle was recovered in his possession and registered as exhibit. The Police spokesman said that the case is under investigation and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing accomplices in order to bring them to Justice.

Similarly, on 9th July, 2019, at about 9:30am, Police detectives attached to Ogidi Division arrested one Nwali Chibuzor of Eke Nkpor in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State.

The suspect had on the 1st July, 2019, at about 7:08pm, allegedly snatched a tricycle from one Uche John within Nkpor area. The tricycle was recovered from the suspect along Idemili bus stop Nkpor and the plate number was changed from Anambra HAL 776 WQ to Enugu NSK 177 QW.

SP Mohammed said that the case is also under investigation after which the suspect would be charged to Court for prosecution.