By Florencemary Nwabueze
The Enugu State Police Command has announced the arrest of three suspects, including a self-proclaimed firearm repairer, following a series of coordinated stop-and-search and surveillance operations across the state, recovering locally made firearms, live ammunition, a motorcycle, and other incriminating items.
The operations, conducted in the Nsukka and 9th Mile areas between May 15 and May 19, 2026, are part of the Command’s sustained effort to combat crime and criminality, according to a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe.
Accordion to the statement, on May 19, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m., operatives from the Surveillance Team of Okpuje Division intercepted a 23-year-old man, identified as Sunday Okwumaji, during a stop-and-search at Ovogovo in Nsukka Local Government Area, leading to the recovery of one locally made pistol, loaded with live cartridges from his bag.
"Okwumaji, a native of Alogwugwu in Kogi State, claimed to be a firearm repairer and stated that the weapon had been given to him for repairs by its owner, who is currently at large and wanted by the police." The statement reads
Later that same day, a rider on motorcycle and one other suspect fled, the Command’s Distress Response Squad (DRS) stop and search exercise, leaving behind a third man, identified as 27-year-old Chimobi Ozo, at about 5:00 p.m., along the Abor/Nsukka Old Road in the 9th Mile area. A search of Ozo’s bag yielded one locally fabricated revolver pistol and four live cartridges. During interrogation, Ozo confessed to being involved in cult-related activities, adding that he and his fleeing accomplices were on their way to a secret cult gathering in Ijebuoghene, Udi Local Government Area.
In a separate operation on May 15, 2026, at about 11:20 a.m., operatives from the Nsukka Area Command on surveillance patrol along Amaenu Edem spotted a male motorcyclist who immediately abandoned his ladies’ motorcycle and a bag and fled into the surroundings.
Upon searching the bag, police found another locally made pistol, a live cartridge, four bunches of keys, a tube suspected to be used for taking illicit drugs, a torchlight, spanners, and an iron cutter. "Acting on credible intelligence, operatives traced and arrested the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Ekene Alphous Ugwu, the following day, May 16, at about 10:00 a.m." the statement reads
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the operatives for their vigilance and professionalism. He reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to sustain the fight against crime in the state.
He further stated that efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing accomplices, and all three suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The CP also urged residents to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and supportive by providing credible and timely information to the police and other security agencies.