Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a 21‑year‑old suspected armed robber and cultist, identified as Chukwuka Solomon, during a security operation carried out early Monday in the state capital, Awka.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, operatives from the Special Anti‑Cultism Squad based in Enugu‑Ukwu executed the raid at a hideout in the Amikwo community, Awka South Local Government Area. The operation, conducted in the early hours, was part of intensified efforts to disrupt cultism, armed robbery and related violent crime across the state.
Ikenga stated that Solomon was shot dead while attempting to flee as police searched his hideout. A pump‑action shotgun, two locally made pistols, and several rounds of ammunition were recovered at the scene, indicating that the location served as an active base for armed activity. Police also observed bloodstains around the site, which they said suggested that other gang members were wounded and escaped during the raid.
The police spokesperson noted that prior to the operation, residents of the Amikwo community had detained and handed Solomon over to authorities, accusing him of terrorising the area with firearms and violent behaviour. During preliminary questioning, the suspect is said to have confessed to membership in the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, commonly known locally as “Baggars,” and admitted to possessing weapons linked to the group’s activities.
Solomon reportedly also named an individual known as “Aza Man” as a leader behind a network of criminal operations in Awka and neighbouring communities. Police said they are now using information reportedly provided by the deceased suspect as part of ongoing intelligence gathering to track down the gang leader and other purported accomplices.
Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling cultism, armed robbery, and violent crime in Anambra State. He emphasised that operations like the Amikwo raid are part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety and disrupt criminal networks. The command indicated that further updates will be provided as investigations progress and additional arrests are made.
The raid occurred against the backdrop of recent anti‑crime activities by the Anambra State Police Command. Earlier, media reports indicated that the command had arrested five suspected armed robbers believed to be involved in vandalism and theft at a company in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area. These coordinated operations reflect increased pressure by security forces on organised criminal elements in the state.
Anambra has periodically faced challenges related to cultism and violent crime, particularly in urban and peri‑urban areas where youth gangs and secret confraternities have been linked to assassinations, extortion, armed robbery and communal clashes. Police authorities have repeatedly appealed for community cooperation, urging residents to report suspicious activities to aid intelligence‑led policing.
Solomon’s death highlights the risks confronted by police during high‑intensity operations and underscores ongoing concerns over cult‑related violence. Local leaders and residents have applauded the command’s responsiveness but continue to call for sustained security presence to prevent reprisal attacks or further criminal incidents.
As investigations continue, police will likely focus on confirming the identities of other suspects, corroborating leads related to “Aza Man,” and dismantling any broader network associated with recent violent crimes in and around Awka.
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