By Florencemary Nwabueze
AWKA— Operatives attached to Anambra State Police Command has arrested one Okechukwu Igwegbe over suspected unlawful possession of a firearm and recovered a pump-action gun and 11 live cartridges in Uruagu, Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area.
The arrest was effected on Sept. 18 by operatives of the command’s Tactical Team, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ezekiel Imoh, following credible intelligence.
According to the command public relations officer SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who announced the arrest in a statement on Saturday, the recovered firearm and ammunition had been secured as exhibits and were undergoing further investigation.
Ikenga said that the suspect has so far declined to make a statement to the police and has not provided information on the source of the firearm and ammunition or the circumstances surrounding their possession.
“The suspect has so far declined to make a statement to the Police and has not provided information regarding the source of the firearm and ammunition or the circumstances surrounding their possession,” the statement reads
The command said that investigation is ongoing through other lawful and independent means, with investigators working to establish the provenance of the firearm and ammunition, the circumstances of their possession and whether the recovered items are connected to any criminal activity or persons of interest.
It said the probe would include appropriate forensic examination and ballistic tracing of the recovered firearm, where applicable, as well as verification of the ammunition and assessment of other available evidence.
Investigators will also review relevant intelligence, interview persons who may possess useful information and pursue other lawful investigative leads capable of establishing the source, movement and possible use of the recovered firearm.
The command assured that the suspect would be treated in accordance with the law, including respect for his right to remain silent and all other applicable constitutional and legal safeguards throughout the investigation.
Reacting to the incident, the Anambra state Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the operatives for their vigilance and intelligence-led intervention.
He directed investigators to conduct a professional and thorough investigation, with particular emphasis on tracing the source of the firearm and ammunition and identifying any individual or network connected with their possession, movement or supply.
Ama reiterated the command’s commitment to disrupting the circulation of illegal firearms and ammunition and strengthening intelligence-led policing across the state.
He also urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to the police and other security agencies, saying such information remains vital to preventing crime and protecting communities.