Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Enugu State Police Command has intensified its campaign against cult‑related violence, illegal firearms and narcotics, detaining three suspected criminal elements and recovering multiple weapons, ammunition and other items in coordinated operations across the state. The arrests and seizures form part of a broader enforcement strategy targeting underground cult groups and other violent networks in the southeastern Nigerian state.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, police said operatives of the Anti‑Cultism Tactical Squad acting on credible intelligence arrested two men on January 19, 2026, in the Awkunanaw area of Enugu South Local Government Area. The suspects, identified as Emmanuel Mba (31) and Nnam Onukwube (35), voluntarily confessed to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, a secret cult group implicated in violent crimes, intimidation and armed clashes in parts of Enugu. Local reporting confirms the group is among several confraternities that the police have repeatedly linked to criminal activity in the state.
During the arrest, officers recovered one pump‑action gun, a locally fabricated Beretta‑type pistol, and 31 live cartridges. In addition to the firearms and ammunition, police seized a large wrap of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, one HP laptop and a motorcycle believed to have been used in criminal operations. The recovery of locally fabricated weapons is consistent with previous seizures in the state, where improvised firearms and illicit arms have frequently been confiscated from suspects linked to cultism and robbery.
The police statement also noted that in a related operation on January 31, officers raided criminal hideouts in the Agbani axis and detained eight suspects. After screening, one individual, identified as Monday Ezeani (32), was found in possession of dried substance suspected to be cannabis sativa and 39 pellets of suspected crystal methamphetamine, locally referred to as “Mkpuru‑mmiri.” The remaining detainees were released following preliminary investigation.
The Enugu State Command’s activities come amid sustained police efforts against criminal networks in the region. Recent weekly crime statistics released by the command indicate intensified enforcement between January 24 and January 30, 2026, during which officers arrested 52 suspects for various offences, including armed robbery, kidnapping, homicide, sexual crimes and cultism. Those operations also resulted in the recovery of one firearm and 20 rounds of ammunition of different calibres, as well as the rescue of kidnapped victims and the seizure of stolen vehicles.
The involvement of a dedicated Anti‑Cultism Tactical Squad underscores the priority that the Nigeria Police Force places on dismantling secret cult groups and their associated criminal enterprises. Cultism in southeastern Nigeria has long been associated with violent clashes, especially among youth and university communities, and has periodically drawn heightened law enforcement attention. Previous operations in the state have led to the arrest of multiple suspects and the confiscation of firearms, ammunition and tools associated with cult activities.
In his statement, SP Ndukwe highlighted that one of the arrested suspects, Emmanuel Mba, was identified by police investigators as the “head and executioner” of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity in Enugu South LGA as of December 2025. Police say that intelligence‑led investigations tracked Mba’s alleged involvement in cult operations tied to armed violence and intimidation in local communities.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has reiterated the command’s firm commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Enugu. Commissioner Giwa warned individuals involved in unlawful possession of firearms, armed robbery, cultism and illicit drug activities to desist or face prosecution under Nigerian law. Authorities emphasised that the arrests should serve as a deterrent to criminal networks and a reassurance to residents that security forces remain vigilant.
Community leaders and civil society representatives have largely welcomed the police operations, noting that cult‑related violence and illegal arms proliferation have contributed to insecurity, extortion and civil unrest in some communities. They have also called for complementary community‑based efforts, including youth outreach, education and employment initiatives, to address the root drivers of gang recruitment and criminal behaviour. Analysts note that while enforcement actions are necessary, long‑term stability will require integrated approaches that combine policing with social and economic interventions.
The recovery of both factory‑manufactured and improvised firearms, along with substantial quantities of ammunition and illicit drugs, reflects persistent challenges faced by security agencies in controlling the flow of illegal weapons and narcotics. Local manufacture and modification of weapons have become common in parts of southeastern Nigeria, complicating efforts by law enforcement to stem armed criminal activity.
Suspects detained in the recent operations will be processed through the court system as investigations proceed. Police have indicated that charges related to unlawful possession of firearms, cultism, narcotics offences and other alleged criminal acts will be pursued in line with Nigerian legal procedures.
As authorities continue to intensify intelligence‑driven operations, residents of Enugu State remain urged to cooperate with law enforcement, report suspicious activities, and support efforts to restore peace and security in their communities.
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