No fewer than eight persons suspected to be gunmen in Anambra State have been arrested by the operatives of the Anambra Vigilante Services in Awka and its environs.
The state Commissioner for Homeland Matters, Chief Chikodi Anarah, confirmed the arrest to journalists in Awka, on Tuesday, adding that the vigilantes also recovered some arms and ammunition from the suspects.
There have been a series of gunmen attacks in the state since Saturday where no fewer than four persons were kidnapped in the process.
On Saturday, about three yet-to-be-identified persons were kidnapped along the Ifite-Amansea-Awka Road and Agulu-Oraukwu Road in Awka South Local Government Area and Anaocha LG respectively.
In recent times, the state capital has recorded about 14 incidences of kidnappings and cult-related killings.
It was gathered that, among the arrested suspects, three were intercepted at the Amansea boundary of Anambra and Enugu states, while four others in their late 20s allegedly involved in snatching of phones from unsuspecting commuters in Keke tricycles were arrested in Awka, the state capital.
Anarah said the arrest followed a response to the spate of killings and kidnappings that have been experienced in the area for almost a week now.
He said within the period, three persons who were said to have been kidnapped regained their freedom following a tip off by members of the public about their hideouts.
It was also gathered that the suspects were operating from outside the state and going out of Anambra State after successful operations.
Anarah said, “The AVG arrested about eight suspected gunmen terrorising the state in recent times.
“Although information about the suspects cannot be made public as it would affect investigations and operations of security operatives.”
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Anambra Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police have commenced the combing of relaxation centres in the state to fish out other criminal elements.
Ikenga said the police had earlier warned against harbouring cultists in the state.
He said, “The command has reiterated its advice to proprietors of hotels, drinking bars and other relaxation centres to be mindful of the characters of those that patronise them as the government would not hesitate to close down anyone that is discovered as a take-off point of operations by those criminal elements.”