The Anambra State Police Command, on Sunday, apprehended a man armed with an AK-47 rifle, intending to engage in a cult clash in the Awada community of Idemili North Local Government Area, marking an important step towards dismantling the network of violence plaguing the area.
During a regular patrol in Awada, law enforcement agents noticed the suspect acting suspiciously. When he saw the police, he attempted to run but was apprehended and detained. A search of his belongings revealed an AK-47 firearm, which was not registered with the Anambra State Command. This arrest exposes the ugly underbelly of cult-related activities and the illegal arms trade fuelling them.
Following the arrest, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, commended the officers' diligence and subsequently ordered a thorough investigation.
The goal is not only to bring the immediate culprits to justice but also to uncover and apprehend the larger network involved in arms trafficking, including a suspected financier living abroad. This method is a forceful reaction to Anambra State's growing concern about cult violence and the proliferation of guns.
CP Adeoye's mandate goes beyond the current investigation, pushing all police officers in the command to recommit to crime prevention and detection. The recent events highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the state in combating organized crime and emphasize the importance of vigilance, community cooperation, and the relentless pursuit of justice to restore law and order.
