The Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State has accused the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 13 Ukpo, of undermining the Anambra State Homeland Security Law.
This follows the arrest and arraignment of three operatives of the Agunechemba security outfit over alleged illegal possession of firearms.
The operatives, including the Commander of the local security outfit popularly known as Udo Ga-Achi in Onitsha South, Mr. Echezona Joseph Ezeonyejekwe.
He was on Friday arraigned before Federal High Court I in Awka alongside two others, Sunday Azuma and Chinedu Nwakwo.
The court subsequently ordered their remand at the Awka Correctional Centre.
Reacting to the development, the Secretary of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Paul Onuachalla, condemned the actions of the Zone 13 Police Command.
He described the arrest and prosecution as inconsistent with the objectives of the Anambra State Homeland Security initiative.
The was titled “Police Actions Undermine Anambra Homeland Security Law.”
Onuachalla maintained that the operatives were employees of the Anambra State Government on lawful security duties.
According to him, Ezeonyejekwe and the two other operatives were assigned to provide security at the council’s Fire Service Station located along Silas Works Road, Woliwo, Fegge, Onitsha, a facility currently under construction.
He expressed concern over the “unconscionable decision” of the Zone 13 Police Command to arrest the operatives despite their official status.
The secretary also alleged that the police did not properly informed the council before the arraignment.
Onuachalla further claimed that they did not serve the defendants the charges against them until Friday, May 15, 2026.
Acccording to him, the police had earlier filed the case before the Federal High Court on April 16, 2026.
He alleged that the police filed the charge before the Federal High Court on April 16, 2026, without proper service on the defendants.
“They only became aware of the matter at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Friday at the Federal High Court I, Awka,” he stated.
Proper identification
The council secretary also insisted that the operatives had been properly identified as members of the Agunechemba security outfit.
He explained that they work under Onitsha South Local Government while the office of the local government secretary secured their bail from police.
He accused the Nigeria Police Force of failing to adequately investigate the matter or consider the official explanations about the matter.
According to Onuachalla, the prosecution proceeded to charge the operatives with unlawful possession of firearms and related offences.
It also opposes a bail application presented by state counsel.
He also alleged that officers of an ACP X-Squad-led team briefly detained the council secretary during a visit to the AIG Zone 13 Headquarters, an allegation he said was later denied by police authorities.
The Council Scribe described the development as a direct assault on local government autonomy.
Onuachalla said the council viewed the police actions as an affront to public office holders operating within the third tier of government.
He called on relevant authorities to intervene urgently to ensure justice, institutional harmony, and the effective implementation of the state’s community security architecture.
IGP filed the charges
Meanwhile, court documents obtained in connection with the case showed that the Inspector-General of Police filed charges against the defendants under Suit No. FHC/AWK/C/73C/2026.
One of the charges alleged that the defendants unlawfully possessed three pump-action rifles without valid licences between September 9, 2025, and April 14, 2026, at No. 93 Silas Works Road, Fegge, Onitsha, contrary to provisions of the Firearms Act.
The police also accused the defendants of conspiracy and malicious damage.
According to the charge sheet, they allegedly acted in concert while armed with guns, machetes, hammers, and other dangerous weapons to destroy three buildings valued at N700 million belonging to one Sabest Uzor.
The alleged offences are punishable under relevant sections of the Firearms Act and the Criminal Code Act.
