The Anambra State Police Command has announced the arrest of a gunman who has been terrorising the Awada community in the state’s Idemili North Local Government Area.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Anambra State Police spokesman, said in a statement on Monday that the suspect was arrested on Sunday and that an AK-47 rifle was confiscated from him.
Ikenga said, “Police officers in Anambra State on Sunday arrested an adult male holding a bag in Awada, Idemili North LGA.
“The man, on sighting the police, took to his heels and was chased until he was caught and overpowered.
“When the bag was searched, it was found to contain an AK-47 rifle with breech No. 25008266. A search of the database has shown that it was not among the firearms on charge at Anambra State Command.
“On interrogation, the suspect disclosed that the weapon was procured for a showdown with a rival cult group.”
The police official stated that the Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, praised the officers who made the recovery for their vigilance and determination.
He stated that the CP has requested that the probe be expanded and strengthened in order to bring all those involved in the arms trafficking to justice, including an alleged financier from abroad who provided funding for the transaction.
“The CP has directed all personnel in the command to re-dedicate themselves to crime prevention and detection in service of the people in the state,” he added.
