By Deborah Nnamdi
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the death of a 21-year-old suspected armed robber and cultist during a police operation in Awka, as operatives recovered firearms and repelled an ambush by other gang members.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad, Enugu-Ukwu, carried out a search operation in the early hours of February 16 at a criminal hideout in Amikwo, Awka.
According to him, the suspect, identified as Chukwuka Solomon, allegedly attempted to escape during the operation.
“The Anambra State Police Operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad Enugu-Ukwu in the early hours of 16th February 2026, recorded the death of one Chukwuka Solomon, male, aged 21 years, an alleged armed robber and a notorious cultist. The suspect had attempted to escape during Police search operations in their den at Amikwo,” the statement read.
Ikenga disclosed that during the search, officers recovered one pump-action gun, two locally made pistols, and some expended ammunition.
He further revealed that the operatives came under attack from other gang members but successfully repelled the ambush. Bloodstains found at the scene, he said, indicated that some of the fleeing suspects may have sustained varying degrees of bullet injuries.
The police spokesperson noted that the suspect was initially apprehended by residents of Amikwo, who handed him over to the authorities over allegations that he had been terrorizing the community with firearms.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to being a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as “Baggars,” and admitted to having operational weapons belonging to the group.
Ikenga added that the suspect mentioned working for an individual popularly known as “Aza Man,” who is allegedly linked to criminal activities in Awka and its environs.
The Command said investigations are ongoing, with operatives pursuing leads provided by the suspect to arrest the alleged gang leader and other members.
Reaffirming the police’s resolve, Ikenga quoted the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, as reiterating the Command’s commitment to tackling cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes across the state.
The Command assured that further developments would be communicated in due course.
