The Enugu State Police Command has arrested and detained an alleged firearm repairer and two other suspects over unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition and alleged engagement in cultism.
Operative attached to the Okpuje Division Surveillance Team reportedly arrested the 23-year-old prime suspect, Sunday Okwumaji during a stop-and-search duty last week at Ovogovo area of the state.
Police spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Enugu.
According to Ndukwe, Okwumaji, who hailed from Igala-Mela Local Government Area of Kogi, was intercepted along the Nsukka-Enugu-Ezike-Umuopu Road.
“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,” Ndukwe said.
The spokesman said operatives of the Command’s Distress Response Squad also intercepted a motorcycle carrying three occupants along Abor/Nsukka Old Road, 9th Mile.
He said the incident occurred at about 5 p.m. on the same day during a routine stop-and-search operation.
“Upon attempts to search them, two suspects, including the rider, fled, while one Chimobi Ozo, 27, was detained.
“Recovered from his bag were one locally fabricated revolver pistol and four live cartridges,” he said.
Ndukwe said the suspect confessed to involvement in cult-related activities during interrogation.
“He stated that he and his fleeing accomplices were heading to a secret cult gathering at Ijebuoghene in Udi Local Government Area,” he added.
The spokesman also disclosed that operatives attached to the Nsukka Area Command recovered another firearm during surveillance patrol along Amaenu Edem, Nsukka.
He said a male rider abandoned his ladies’ motorcycle and bag before fleeing on sighting the operatives on May 15.
Ndukwe said a search of the bag led to the recovery of one locally made pistol and one live cartridge.
Other recovered items included four bunches of keys, a tube suspected of illicit drug use, torchlight, spanners and an iron cutter.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives subsequently traced and detained the suspect, identified as Ekene Ugwu, 31, on May 16,” he said.
Ndukwe said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing accomplices, while the suspects would be arraigned after investigations.
The police spokesperson held that the arrests were achieved through sustained proactive policing operations across the state.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for their vigilance and professionalism.
Giwa reaffirmed the command’s resolve to sustain the fight against crime and criminality across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant, law-abiding and supportive by providing credible and timely information to security agencies.