Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 17 suspected cultists during a coordinated raid on a hideout in Awka, the state capital, in the early hours of Sunday, May 24, 2026. The operation, carried out by the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), was based on credible intelligence about a gathering of individuals allegedly involved in cult-related activities, drug abuse, and other acts contrary to public morality. The suspects, all males, were apprehended at an identified location within Awka and are currently in police custody undergoing interrogation. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development on Monday, May 25, 2026, said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are affiliated with the Vikings Confraternity, also known as “Bagger.”
According to SP Ikenga, the raid was part of the command’s ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and restore public order. The suspects were arrested at the hideout in the early hours of Sunday, with operatives recovering various items from the scene, including dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa, containers of petroleum jelly, condoms, and other exhibits. The police spokesperson said the items have been secured for forensic analysis as part of ongoing investigations to determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement in cult-related activities and other possible criminal offences. “Preliminary interrogation of the suspects allegedly revealed their affiliation with the Vikings Confraternity, also known as ‘Bagger’. The investigation is also extending to allegations of unlawful and immoral activities reportedly carried out at the location,” the police statement read.
The suspects have been identified by the command as Okeke Ugochukwu, 28; Okoro Christian, 17; Goodluck Michael, 25; Amuche Michael, 24; Ojukwu Divine, 26; Ikechukwu Chimeremeze, 20; Obinna Ike, 30; Nnamdi Desmond, 28; Odibendi, 20; Emmanuel Onyema, 26; Omalico Eric, 23; Duru Ifeanyi, 23; Diamond Zikora, 26; Charles Chukwuma, 28; Ikem Vincent, 20; Okeke Chibuzo, 23; and Izunna Okoye, 24. The command noted that a full-scale investigation has commenced, and further developments would be communicated in due course. It also warned that cultism, drug abuse, and all forms of criminality capable of undermining public peace and societal values would not be tolerated in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, while commending the operatives for their swift action, reiterated the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks in the state. He warned that individuals found engaging in cult-related activities would face the full wrath of the law. “Cultism, drug abuse, and all forms of criminality capable of undermining public peace and societal values will not be tolerated in the state,” he said. The CP also used the opportunity to address a separate tragic incident in the state, where a police officer was arrested over the alleged death of a three‑month‑old baby at Okija, in Ihiala Local Council. He extended sympathy to the family of the deceased child and assured the public that a full‑scale investigation has been launched into that matter.
The arrest of the 17 suspected cultists in Awka is the latest in a series of security operations conducted by the Anambra State Police Command as part of a broader crackdown on criminal activities. In recent months, the command has intensified raids on black spots, hideouts, and identified criminal enclaves across the state, leading to the arrest of numerous suspects and the recovery of weapons, illicit drugs, and stolen property. The state has witnessed a rise in cult-related violence, including clashes between rival groups that have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property.
The Vikings Confraternity, one of the oldest and most notorious cult groups in Nigeria, has been linked to various criminal activities, including murder, armed robbery, drug trafficking, and extortion. The group, which originated from the University of Ibadan in the 1970s, has since spread to tertiary institutions and communities across the country, with chapters in several states. In Anambra, the group has been particularly active in Awka, Onitsha, and Nnewi, where its members have been implicated in violent crimes. The arrest of 17 suspected members is seen as a major breakthrough in the fight against cultism in the state.
As of the time of this report, the suspects remain in police custody, and investigations are ongoing. The command has assured the public that it will leave no stone unturned in its efforts to ensure that all those involved in cult activities and other crimes are brought to justice. The police have also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.
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