By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the death of a suspected armed robber and alleged notorious cultist during a security operation in Awka, following what it described as an attempted escape and a violent confrontation involving other gang members.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued to newsmen over the week by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
He explained that police operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad, Enugu-Ukwu, in the early hours of February 16, 2026, recorded the death of the 21-year-old suspect, Chukwuka Solomon, during a search operation at a suspected criminal hideout in Amikwo, Awka.
While noting that the suspect allegedly attempted to escape during the operation, the police Spokesperson also revealed that during the search of the criminal hideout, operatives recovered one pump-action gun, two locally made pistols, and some expanded ammunition.
The Police Public Relations Officer further revealed that the operatives also successfully repelled an ambush allegedly launched by other members of the gang during the operation. Blood stains reportedly observed at the scene, according to him, indicate that some of the fleeing suspects may have escaped with varying degrees of bullet injuries.
SP Ikenga also disclosed that the deceased suspect was initially apprehended through the efforts of community members in Amikwo, who handed him over to the police following allegations that he had been terrorising the area with firearms.
He said during interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to being a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as “Baggars,” and admitted to having access to operational weapons belonging to the group.
The suspect, he said, also reportedly confessed to be working for an individual popularly known as “Aza Man,” who is alleged to be involved in criminal activities terrorizing the peace of Awka and its environs.
The Police spokesperson stated that operatives are currently acting on leads provided during the investigation to apprehend the alleged gang leader and other members of the criminal network.
According to him, reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc, mnips, PhD, reiterated the Command’s commitment to combating cultism, armed robbery, and other violent crimes in the state.
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