In a statement released on Monday, the command’s spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the arrest and capture happened in a special operation.
He said the operation was spearheaded by the Police Crack Squad deployed in Ihiala by the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Aderemi Adeoye.
Ikenga said the special operation was deployed by the CP to provide security for the people of Ihiala during and after the festive period, adding that both suspects were arrested at their hideout within the same locality in Okija.
The statement read, “In a special operation spearheaded by the police crack squad deployed in Ihiala by the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Aderemi Adeoye, to provide security for the people of Ihiala during and after the festive period, one Chitana Oha, male, 25 years, alias “Kill and Bury” was arrested.
“Also nabbed was one Emmanuel Ifeanyi Okonkwo, male, 24 years alias ‘Good and Bad’
“Both suspects were arrested at their hideout at Okija within the same local government area.
“The Commissioner of Police who vowed to end the cult-related killings in Ihiala the same way he stamped out the menace in Awka capital city has directed the crack squad to go all out against the cultists and clip their wings.
“He assured members of the public that their security will continue to be the topmost priority of the command.”
Some indigenes of Awka, Anambra State capital, in November 2023, protested against what they described as “mindless killings of kiths and kins by cultists,” even as they accused some police officers in the state of allegedly aiding and abetting cultists and cult-related.
About two persons suspected to be members of different cult groups in June 2023 were allegedly gunned down by their rivals in Awka, the Anambra State capital, during a clash by rival cult groups.
About a month later in July, one person, identified as Igwe Omeli, was shot dead during a clash between rival cult groups at the popular Eke Awka market in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In September 2023, some yet-to-be-identified hoodlums suspected to be cultists stabbed and butchered a man believed to be mentally ill in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
