Police Arrest Suspect, Recover Pump-Action Gun, 11 Cartridges in Nnewi
By Chizoba Njaka
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested one Okechukwu Igwegbe for alleged unlawful possession of a firearm and recovered a pump-action gun and 11 live cartridges from him at Uruagu, Nnewi, in Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Awka, saying the suspect was arrested on Sept. 18, by operatives of the Command’s Tactical Team led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Ezekiel Imoh.
SP Ikenga said the arrest followed credible intelligence received by the operatives, who subsequently carried out an operation that led to the recovery of the pump-action firearm and 11 live cartridges. According to the statement, the recovered firearm and ammunition have been secured as exhibits and are currently undergoing further investigation to establish their source and the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s possession of them.
The police said the suspect had so far declined to make a statement to investigators and had not disclosed where the firearm and ammunition came from or the circumstances under which they came into his possession. The command, however, said the investigation was continuing through other lawful and independent means. Investigators are working to determine the provenance of the firearm and ammunition and establish whether they are linked to any criminal activity or other persons of interest.
The investigation will also involve appropriate forensic examination and ballistic tracing of the firearm, where applicable, as well as verification of the ammunition and assessment of other available evidence. Investigators will further review intelligence, interview persons who may have relevant information and pursue other lawful leads to determine the source, movement and possible use of the recovered items.
The command assured that the suspect would be treated in accordance with the law, including respect for his right to remain silent and other applicable constitutional and legal safeguards throughout the investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the operatives for their vigilance and intelligence-led intervention. He directed the investigators to conduct a thorough and professional investigation, particularly to trace the source of the firearm and ammunition and identify any individual or network that may be connected to their possession, movement or supply.
CP Oji Ama reaffirmed the command’s commitment to curbing the circulation of illegal firearms and ammunition through intelligence-led policing across the state. He also called on members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to the police and other security agencies to help prevent crime and safeguard communities.
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