Anambra Police arrested four suspected cultists after a violent clash in Nsugbe, Anambra East LGA.
Officials say investigations continue as they work to capture other fleeing suspects and ensure public safety.
SEE ALSO: Anambra Police Intensify Action Against Cultism
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four suspected cult members following a bloody confrontation in Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area. The operation, carried out in collaboration with local vigilante groups, was part of a renewed crackdown on cultism and violent crime across the state.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on September 16, 2025, at about 7 a.m. when armed groups believed to be rival cult factions clashed behind Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe. Eyewitnesses said the suspects engaged one another with cutlasses, broken bottles, daggers, and other dangerous weapons, disrupting the peace of the area.
A swift response by a combined team of police officers and vigilantes led to the arrest of four suspects identified as Oyachonam Friday, 26; Akachukwu Ekwenze, 23; David Chukwuma, 25; and Eziolise Aloysius, 23. Some other individuals managed to flee into nearby bushes as security forces moved in. One of the suspects, David Chukwuma, sustained machete wounds during the confrontation but is receiving treatment under police supervision.
Investigations have revealed that all four suspects admitted to belonging to the notorious “AYES” confraternity, a group previously linked to cult-related violence in the state. The Police Command has stated that the case is under active investigation while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplices.
Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reassured residents that the Command is determined to stamp out cultism and violent crimes in Anambra. He praised the combined police and vigilante team for their quick intervention, noting that community partnerships are crucial to maintaining public safety.
The Anambra State Police Command has encouraged residents to continue providing useful information to law enforcement authorities, stressing that cooperation between security agencies and the public remains vital in keeping the state safe.
