The Enugu State Police Command has apprehended four individuals suspected of armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and cult-related activities in various parts of the state.

This was made known in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe.

According to Ndukwe, the arrests followed a series of well-coordinated, intelligence-led operations that also led to the seizure of dangerous weapons and other evidence.

The statement reads: “Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command arrested four male suspects for conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and involvement in cultism.”

Items recovered during the operations include three firearms, a gun-like VL-Light Electronic Gas Igniter, eight live cartridges, one live 7.62mm ammunition, and other incriminating materials.

One of the arrests took place on Sunday around 11:30 a.m., when officers from the Crack Tactical Squad, in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, apprehended 26-year-old Esomchi Ugwu and 19-year-old Kosisochukwu Ukwuani in Enugu-Ngwo, Udi Local Government Area.

Recovered from the duo were a single-barrel pistol, a cut-to-size gun, and four live cartridges. During questioning, the suspects reportedly admitted to being members of the Black Axe cult group.

In another raid conducted early Sunday at about 3:45 a.m., the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad recovered more weapons during a search in Ndiaga-Ugwuaji, Enugu South Local Government Area.

Ndukwe said the items—comprising a locally made single-barrel pistol, four live cartridges, and one live 7.62mm ammunition—were found hidden in a cooking pot by a suspect identified as Ogbodo Friday Onyekachi, who fled upon sighting the police.

The fleeing suspect is reportedly linked to an ongoing investigation involving arms possession and cultism, following a confession by an alleged accomplice, Izuchukwu Gabriel, also known as Onye-Amuma.

In a related development, officers from the New Haven Division recovered a gun-like device during a response to a distress call around 4:00 a.m. on June 23.

Ndukwe stated, “The VL-Light Electronic Gas Igniter, which resembled a firearm, was abandoned by fleeing suspects who had used it to carry out criminal acts.”

The command assured that efforts are underway to apprehend all fleeing suspects connected to the cases.