The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspected cultist and political thug, Onyeaka Odogwu, popularly known as Red Angel.

Announcing the arrest in a statement issued in Awka on Sunday, the Anambra Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said it is part of the force’s efforts to ensure a peaceful and credible governorship election in the state scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025.

According to Ikenga, the 29-year-old suspect was arrested on Friday, October 24, around 11:30 a.m. during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS) in Enugu-Ukwu.

“Recovered from the suspect were two pump-action guns, two English double-barrel guns, three live cartridges, red cult regalia, and five caps three black and two red bearing inscriptions linked to the Vikings Confraternity,” the police spokesman said.

Ikenga added that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to being one of the members of the Vikings Confraternity and admitted involvement in political thuggery.

“Following his confession, the suspect in the early hours of October 26, 2025, led SPACS operatives to their armoury at Omor, where the mentioned exhibits were recovered. All recovered items have been documented as evidence, while investigations are ongoing to track and apprehend other gang members and associates,” Ikenga said.

He added that the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and ensuring that the upcoming governorship election is free from violence.

“CP Orutugu has warned that the police would not tolerate any activities from cult groups, armed gangs, or political thugs capable of disrupting public order,” Ikenga stated.

Speaking further, the police PRO said the CP has also urged parents, community leaders, and youth groups to caution young people against joining cults.

The commissioner further gave his assurance to Ndi Anambra of adequate security deployment across all local government areas before, during, and after the upcoming gubernatorial election.

In related news, the Anambra State Police Command said its operatives arrested seven suspected members of the Black Axe confraternity who were allegedly being initiated and groomed for election-related violence.

According to a statement, the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS), Enugu-Ukwu, in collaboration with the Agunechemba Vigilante Operatives, during a raid in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 2025.

“The arrests took place during an initiation ceremony in a bush at Obinagu, Abagana, in Njikoka Local Government Area. Items recovered at the scene included a 25-litre keg containing a red liquid substance, a red ritual cloth, two wooden drums, and footwear belonging to the suspects and their accomplices,” the statement read.