The Anambra Police Command has arrested Okechukwu Igwegbe for allegedly possessing a pump-action gun and 11 live cartridges in Uruagu, Nnewi.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Awka.
Ikenga said the suspect was arrested on Sept. 18 by operatives of the command’s Tactical Team, led by ACP Ezekiel Imoh.
He said the arrest followed credible intelligence received by the command concerning the suspect’s alleged possession of the firearm and ammunition.
“The Anambra Police Command has arrested one Okechukwu Igwegbe over suspected unlawful possession of a firearm and 11 live cartridges,” he said.
According to him, operatives recovered one pump-action firearm and 11 live cartridges from the suspect during the operation.
Ikenga said the recovered firearm and ammunition had been secured as exhibits and were undergoing further investigation.
He said the suspect had so far declined to make a statement to the police regarding the matter.
The PPRO said the suspect had not provided information on the source of the firearm and ammunition or circumstances surrounding their possession.
“The command, however, wishes to state that the investigation is continuing through other lawful and independent means,” he said.
Ikenga said investigators were working to establish the provenance of the firearm and ammunition and determine the circumstances surrounding their possession.
He said they would also establish whether the recovered items were connected to any criminal activity or other persons of interest.
“The investigation will include appropriate forensic examination and ballistic tracing of the recovered firearm, where applicable,” he said.
He added that the ammunition would be verified while other available evidence would also be assessed.
The PPRO said investigators would review relevant intelligence and interview persons who might possess useful information about the matter.
He said investigators would pursue other lawful leads to establish the source, movement and possible use of the recovered firearm.
Ikenga said the suspect would be treated in accordance with the law throughout the investigation.
He said this included respecting the suspect’s right to remain silent and all other applicable constitutional and legal safeguards.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Nnanna Ama, commended the operatives for their vigilance and intelligence-led intervention.
Ama reiterated the command’s commitment to disrupting the circulation of illegal firearms and ammunition through intelligence-led policing.
He urged members of the public to provide credible and timely information to the police and other security agencies.
Ama said such information remained vital to preventing crime and protecting communities.
