…Police said the case originated from a December 31, 2025 incident in Amansea.
AWKA, NIGERIA — The iNews Times reports that the operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested a 32-year-old suspect over alleged involvement in cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and conspiracy within Awka and surrounding communities.
Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the suspect, identified as Ifeanyi Ekemezie, was apprehended at Isuaniocha by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Awkuzu in the early hours of February 17, 2026.
According to Ikenga, the arrest followed ongoing investigations into criminal activities linked to kidnapping and car snatching in Awka and its environs.
Linked to December 31 Kidnapping Incident
Police said the case originated from a December 31, 2025 incident in Amansea, where a victim was attacked, robbed, and kidnapped at his residence.
During the attack, the victim’s Toyota Highlander Jeep was reportedly carted away, while the sum of N3 million was transferred from his bank account. The victim was also shot in the leg before being abandoned at an undisclosed location. He was later rescued.
Ikenga revealed that an earlier arrest had been made in connection with the case.
“The incident had earlier led to the arrest of Ndubuisi Anyakaku, 33 years, on February 13, 2026. His bank account was allegedly used to receive a ransom payment of One Million Naira (₦1,000,000) from the kidnapped victim,” he stated.
Confession to Cult Membership, Killings
During interrogation, Ekemezie allegedly confessed to being a member of a three-man criminal gang specializing in kidnapping and car snatching within Awka.
He also admitted to being affiliated with the notorious Vikings Confraternity and participating in cult-related killings in the state capital, according to police.
The Police Command said efforts have been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang and recover their operational weapons.
