16-year-old schoolboy found with gun in Anambra

Police in Anambra State have taken a teenager in Anambra State into custody after being found with a double-barrelled gun inside a school.

Anambra police spokesman Haruna Mohammed in a statement on Monday said the boy was among the 80 suspected cultists arrested during a raid on various criminal hideouts and black spots across the state.

According to Mohammed, 40 of the suspects had been charged, 15 screened and released unconditionally, five placed under police supervision for being underage, while 20 were undergoing investigation.

He said part of the items recovered from the suspects include two pump action guns, 10 machetes, five axes, two daggers, three barrettes, one double-barrelled gun, two locally-made pistols and three live cartridges.

“In order to stem the tide of cultism and other nefarious activities in the state, especially during this period of ‘ember’ months, the command’s Special Anti-Cult Unit raided various hideouts and black spots, where cultists were suspected to be hibernating, at various locations within the state.

“From the raids carried out, a total of 80 suspects were arrested out of which 40 were charged, 15 suspects were screened and released unconditionally, five suspects were placed under police supervision for being underage, while 20 suspects, including a 16-year-old boy and confessed cultist, who was arrested with a double-barrelled gun inside his school compound at Igboukwu, are undergoing investigation,” he said.