Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Inspector-General of Police’s Violent Crime Response Unit under the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, have recovered sophisticated arms, ammunition and explosive devices from a criminal camp in Owerre-Ezukala, Orumba South Local Government Area.
The operatives, led by Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Orebe Chidubem Mathew, carried out the operation on May 6, 2026, following actionable intelligence obtained from a suspect already in custody, Nnamdi Nkemdilim Ogbonna.
The 37-year old suspect allegedly serves as one of the top commanders of a proscribed secessionist group.
During the operation, the police recovered one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) loaded with about 2,000 rounds of live chain ammunition, two fabricated rocket launchers with 25 propellers, and ten locally made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Other include one locally made Beretta pistol, two pump-action guns, three hand grenades, ten rounds of K2 live ammunition, one gas cylinder and one black Ecolac box.
Police authorities recalled that a Joint Security Team had earlier destroyed the camp during previous operations in the area.
However, intelligence reports later revealed that some escaped gang members had attempted to regroup at the location.
Acting on the intelligence, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit launched another offensive operation against the criminals.
Gun duel
During the operation, the officers engaged the armed suspects in a gun duel, forcing several of them to flee the scene with varying degrees of bullet injuries.
Investigations further revealed that the suspect in custody confessed to participating in several violent attacks across Anambra State.
According to the police, the suspect admitted involvement in attacks on police facilities, killings of security personnel including Police, Military and Civil Defence officers, attacks on government facilities and the murder of security operatives conducting stop-and-search duties on roads within the state.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, stated that the establishment of the Violent Crime Response Unit has strengthened the Command’s capacity to sustain aggressive operations against criminal elements threatening peace and security in the state.
The Police Command assured residents that it would continue offensive operations against violent criminals and promised to provide further updates as investigations progress.
