Authorities in Anambra State have arrested a 42-year-old man, Friday Emenike, also known as Ekpo, for allegedly supplying guns and weapons to criminals operating in Awka and surrounding areas. Ekpo, who hails from Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, is accused of providing firearms to facilitate illegal activities.
The arrest followed a raid by the Anti-Cultism Squad of the Anambra State Police Command on December 7, 2024. Acting on credible intelligence, officers targeted a notorious black spot in Umunaga Village, Awka South Local Government Area. During the operation, they apprehended two suspects: 27-year-old Okechukwu Chinwuko from Umunaga Village and 22-year-old Ezenwa Chinedu from Umuneri Village.
Recovered from the suspects were:
- A pump-action gun
- Three live cartridges
- A cutlass
- Criminal charms
- Substances suspected to be hard drugs
Additionally, two female victims who had reportedly been sexually assaulted by the suspects were rescued during the operation.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, revealed that during interrogation, the arrested suspects confessed to renting firearms from Ekpo. Acting on this information, police operatives swiftly tracked down and apprehended Ekpo.
Ikenga confirmed that investigations are still underway to uncover the full extent of Ekpo’s alleged criminal activities. Once the investigation is concluded, the case will be charged to court.
