Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested four additional suspects in connection with the murder of three Cameroonian nationals in Anambra State, intensifying investigations into what authorities describe as a coordinated criminal operation linked to a shrine in Anambra East Local Government Area.
The suspects, all male, were identified by police as Chukwuemeka Emmanuel, 27, also known as “Ugoebenajah,” who is alleged to be the Chief Priest of the shrine; Nwabunne Bright, 27; Chinecherem Chiama, 21; and Michael Ekwunife, 38. Their arrest followed what police described as actionable intelligence obtained from two earlier suspects already in custody over the killing of the three foreign nationals.
The breakthrough occurred on February 13, 2026, when operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu mobilised to Nando community in Anambra East LGA, acting on confessional statements that reportedly linked the shrine and its occupants to the murders. According to police accounts, investigators traced critical leads to the premises after the initial suspects provided details during interrogation.
Upon arrival at the identified shrine in Nando, officers reportedly encountered about 30 able-bodied men gathered within the premises. Police said that as soon as the operatives approached, armed individuals opened fire, prompting an exchange of gunfire. Authorities maintained that the officers responded “professionally” and engaged the assailants in a gun duel to neutralise the threat and secure the location.
During the operation, one of the arrested armed suspects sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh. Police confirmed that he was immediately evacuated to a hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment under security watch. Several other suspects were taken into custody at the scene.
However, the prime suspect, identified as Uchenna Mmaduamaka Nicholas, a native of Oroma Etiti Anam, reportedly escaped alongside other gang members. Police believe some of the fleeing suspects may have sustained bullet injuries during the exchange. A manhunt is now underway to apprehend Nicholas and other members of the group who remain at large.
In the course of the raid, operatives recovered a cache of weapons and items described as incriminating exhibits. The police listed two pump-action guns, one locally made Beretta pistol, a machete, assorted charms, expanded ammunition, ten live cartridges and five live 9mm rounds. The seizure of firearms and ammunition, along with ritual paraphernalia, has deepened suspicions about the operational scope of the group and the role the shrine may have played in facilitating criminal activity.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the full circumstances surrounding the deaths of the three Cameroonian nationals, including the motive or whether the killings were connected to ritual practices, armed robbery, kidnapping, or other criminal enterprises. However, the recovery of weapons and the alleged resistance encountered during the raid suggest that the suspects may have been part of an organised armed gang operating within the community.
Security analysts note that Anambra State has in recent years grappled with a mix of violent crimes, including cult-related clashes, armed robbery, and targeted killings, particularly in rural and semi-rural communities. The presence of armed groups allegedly operating from shrines has also periodically drawn public concern, especially where traditional religious spaces are suspected of being used as fronts for criminal networks.
The involvement of foreign nationals in the case has introduced a cross-border dimension to the investigation. While details remain limited, the murder of three Cameroonians in the state has raised diplomatic and security implications, potentially prompting coordination between Nigerian authorities and their counterparts in Cameroon as investigations progress.
Police sources indicated that forensic examinations and ballistic analysis will be conducted on the recovered weapons to determine whether they were used in the killings or in other unsolved crimes within the state. Intelligence gathering is also being expanded to identify possible accomplices and financial backers of the alleged criminal network.
The Command stated that the arrested suspects are currently undergoing interrogation and that further arrests may follow as investigations continue. Law enforcement officials are focusing on establishing the hierarchy within the group, the precise role of each suspect, and the sequence of events that led to the deaths of the three foreign nationals.
Community leaders in Nando have yet to issue a formal statement on the operation, but residents reportedly expressed shock over the scale of the police action and the allegations tied to the shrine. The gun battle and heavy police presence on the day of the raid drew attention across the locality, highlighting the volatility of the encounter.
The Anambra State Police Command reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors within the state. Authorities urged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist in tracking down the fleeing suspects and advancing the investigation. They emphasised that collaboration between communities and security agencies remains critical in dismantling criminal networks and preventing further violence.
As the probe deepens, attention will likely focus on the broader security architecture in Anambra East and surrounding areas, particularly concerning intelligence gathering and early detection of armed groups. The outcome of the investigation, including possible prosecutions, is expected to test the resilience of the state’s criminal justice response to organised violent crime involving both local and foreign victims.
For now, police say operations will continue until all suspects connected to the killings are apprehended and brought to justice, signalling a determined effort to close the case and restore public confidence in security across the affected communities.
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