The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old man, Osani Joseph, suspected of armed robbery and cult-related activities, following an intelligence-driven operation in Enugu metropolis.
Joseph, who resides at Premier Layout, was apprehended by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in the New Artisan area of the state.
The arrest was confirmed in a statement on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, who said the operation was carried out around 8:30 p.m. on May 26 based on credible intelligence.
Items recovered from the suspect include a silver-coloured imitation firearm, a dagger, 10 wraps of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine (locally known as “mkpuru mmiri”), and a sachet containing a substance believed to be cannabis.
According to the police, the suspect allegedly admitted to using the fake firearm to dispossess unsuspecting members of the public and also confessed to being a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity.
The statement further noted that Osani Joseph was arrested at a known “blackspot” in the New Artisan axis, and that a search conducted on him led to the recovery of the items.
Ndukwe added that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected criminal gang, stressing that the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Bitrus Giwa, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustained operations against crime and criminal networks in the state.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid ongoing efforts in tackling crime.