Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested four individuals suspected to be involved in armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms, in the state.

Contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the state command, Daniel Ndukwe, on Wednesday where he disclosed that the operations were credible intelligence led.

He said, “operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested four male suspects for conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and cultism.

“The operations led to the recovery of three firearms and a gun-like VL-Light Electronic Gas Igniter, eight live cartridges, one live 7.62mm calibre ammunition, and other incriminating exhibits.

“On Sunday at about 11:30 a.m., operatives of the Command’s Crack Tactical Squad, in collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, arrested 26-year-old Esomchi Ugwu and 19-year-old Kosisochukwu Ukwuani at Enugu-Ngwo in Udi Local Government Area.

“One single-barrelled pistol, a cut-to-size gun and four live cartridges were recovered from them.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity.”

Further in the statement, the spokesperson disclosed that, another operation on the same Sunday at about 3:45 a.m., operatives from the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad recovered another set of arms during a raid in Ndiaga-Ugwuaji, Enugu South Local Government Area.

He said; “One locally made single-barrelled pistol, one live 7.62mm calibre ammunition, and four live cartridges were recovered.

“The items were concealed in a cooking pot by one Ogbodo Friday Onyekachi, who fled his residence upon sighting the operatives.”

He disclosed that the suspect who is currently on the run is linked to an ongoing investigation involving conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, and cultism.

It was through the confession made by the alleged accomplice of the suspect, Izuchukwu Gabriel (alias Onye-Amuma), that the command got to know of the said linkage.

He further stated that; “Operatives of the New Haven Division responded to a distress call at about 4:00 a.m. on June 23, 2025, and recovered a gun-like VL-Light Electronic Gas Igniter.

“The device was abandoned by fleeing suspects, who had used it to simulate a firearm while perpetrating their criminal acts.

“We are making efforts to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects involved in all three cases.”