By Dennis Agbo & Francis Igata

ENUGU—Police authorities in Enugu State, weekend, arrested 17 armed robbery and secret cult suspects terrorizing parts of Nkanu-West Local Government Area forcing residents to flee their homes for fear of being attacked.

The suspects who were arrested by the special Anti-Cult Squad include Nnamani Chinonso, Nnamani Ekene, Ani Chidera, Ogbu Chinenye, Friday Anih, Nnamani Daberechi, Nweke Frank, Nwoye Chigozie, Eze Chidera, Ede Ifeanyi, Chukwu Chukwuebuka, Ejim Monday, Nwatu Samuel, Emmanuel Udofia, Onyedikachi Maduekwe, Onyekachi Ejike and Okenwa Uche.

It was gathered that the suspects were nabbed over their alleged involvement in cult related activities, unlawful possession of firearms and robbery among others.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ebere Amaraizu, Superintendent of Police confirmed the arrests in a statement to newsmen adding that, ”we recovered from them two short  double barrel locally made guns, two short single locally made guns,one long locally made single barrel gun,22 live cartridges and cartridge host.

“All the suspects were nabbed within Agbani axis of Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. “They are helping the operatives in their investigations.”

7 suspects arrested over killings in Ebonyi

In Ebonyi State, the Police command has arrested seven persons suspected to be involved in last weekend’s killing of one Ndubuisi Nwali at Ezza-Effium, Ohaukwu council area of Ebonyi state.

The Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. George Okafor confirmed the arrest of the suspects, including a prime suspect,  Friday, in connection with the killing.

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO in charge of Effium Police Division, SP, Ibrahim Imam while addressing Governor David Umahi who visited the community over the incident said the prime suspect was arrested in the early hours of  Sunday  and had been transferred to the police headquarters.

Governor Umahi, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof Ben Odoh expressed concern over the incident and pledged that the state government would do everything to get to the root of the incident, while calling on both Effium and Ezza-Effium to live in peace while investigation into the murder of the deceased would commence immediately.

He commended the prompt intervention of the police command led by the Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Peace Ibekwe Abdallah whom he said relocated to the community immediately the crisis broke out to ensure that there was no broke down of law and order.

The governor however commended the peaceful disposition of both sides and disclosed that he immediately summoned stakeholders’ meeting of both sides and advised them on the quickest way to end the looming communal war in the community and assured the people of the community that his administration has awarded the construction of the ring road from Ezzamgbo to their community.

The traditional ruler of Effium community, Ezeogo Emmanuel Ekwueme expressed displeasure over the recent development and called on the state government and security agencies to tighten security in the community to forestall further breakdown of law and order.