The Anambra State Police Command has arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang and recovered suspected illicit drugs valued at N1.45 million, a counterfeit $100 United States dollar note, vandalised electrical wires and N72,550 cash.
The suspects were arrested on Thursday, August 20, 2026, when operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, raided a suspected criminal hideout at Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.
The operation, according to the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga of the Command, was conducted at about 12:48 p.m.
The arrested suspects were identified as Omogo Obinna, 29; Okechukwu Nwagba, 28; Echezona Okonkwo, 29; Awal Umar, 23; and Ogadinma Boniface, 33.
Items recovered during the operation included substantial quantities of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp), Canadian Loud, Black Mamba, Colorado and Loud, as well as vandalised electrical wires.
Also recovered were N72,550 cash and a suspected counterfeit United States $100 note.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects were members of a criminal network operating in the area.
Ikenga said the suspects had made useful statements to investigators and allegedly mentioned the names of other members of the gang.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, as commending the operatives for the successful operation.
The CP, according to the statement, directed that the investigation be pursued thoroughly and professionally, while ordering intensified efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the suspected gang.
He further directed that anyone found to have participated in the alleged criminal activities should be made to face the law.
The Command assured residents of its continued efforts to combat drug-related offences, vandalism and other forms of criminality across the state.
It also urged members of the public to provide credible and timely information to the Police, stressing that community cooperation remained critical to strengthening security and keeping Anambra safe.
