Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested an alleged firearm repairer and two other male suspects for unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition, and suspected cultism ,and recovered the exhibits.
Recovered exhibits include three locally made guns, six live cartridges, a motorcycle, and other incriminating items in separate operations within the Nsukka and 9th Mile areas.
According to statement made available to Newsmen on Monday in Enugu, the Police public relations officer,Enugu state Police Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, “on 19th May 2026, at about 3:30 p.m., operatives attached to the Surveillance Team of Okpuje Division, while on stop-and-search duty at Ovogovo in Nsukka Local Government Area, intercepted one Sunday Okwumaji (male, aged 23), a native of Alogwugwu in Igala-Mela Local Government Area of Kogi State.
“A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of one locally made pistol loaded with one live cartridge concealed in his bag. The suspect claimed to be a firearm repairer and stated that the firearm was handed over to him for repairs by its owner, who is currently at large,” he said..
Ndukwe added that on the same date, at about 5:00 p.m., operatives attached to the Command’s Distress Response Squad (DRS), while on routine stop-and-search duty along Abor/Nsukka Old Road, 9th Mile, intercepted a motorcycle conveying three occupants. Upon attempts to search them, two suspects, including the rider, fled, while one Chimobi Ozo (male, aged 27), was arrested. Recovered from his bag were one locally fabricated revolver pistol and four live cartridges.
“The suspect confessed to involvement in cult-related activities and stated that he and his fleeing accomplices were heading to a secret cult gathering at Ijebuogene in Udi LGA before their interception,” he said.
In another operation, operatives attached to the Nsukka Area Command, while on surveillance patrol along Amaenu Edem, Nsukka, on May 15, 2026, at about 11:20 a.m., observed a male rider who abandoned his ladies motorcycle and a bag and fled on sighting the operatives. A search of the recovered bag led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, one live cartridge, four bunches of keys, a tube suspected to be used for taking illicit drugs, torchlight, spanners, and an iron cutter. Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives subsequently traced and arrested the suspect, identified as Ekene Alphous Ugwu (male, aged 31), on 16th May 2026, at about 10:00 a.m.
“Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing accomplices, while the suspects will be arraigned upon conclusion of investigations.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Giwa commended the operatives for their vigilance and professionalism. He reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to sustain the fight against crime and criminality in the State and urged residents to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and supportive by providing credible and timely information to the Police and other security agencies”, Ndukwe said.
