The Anambra State Police Command has intercepted two vehicles carrying illegal firearms, leading to the arrest of nine suspects comprising seven males and two females.
It was gathered that the vehicles were intercepted during a stop-and-search operation at a checkpoint in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area of the state, in the early hours of Friday.
According to a press statement released on Friday, the spokesperson for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the vehicles were intercepted by the Joint Operation Base, Aguata, led by the Chief Superintendent of Police, Austin Elaigwu, in collaboration with other security agencies.
The agencies involved included the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, as well as operatives of the Agunechemba Security Outfit.
Ikenga added that a thorough search of the vehicles led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, charms and other items considered relevant to the ongoing investigation.
He said the suspects and the recovered items were immediately taken into custody for questioning and further investigation.
The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command, through the Joint Operation Base, Aguata, led by the Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Austin Elaigwu, in the early hours of Friday, August 28, 2026, in collaboration with other security agencies comprising the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Immigration Service, as well as operatives of the Agunechemba Security Outfit, intercepted two vehicles during a stop-and-search operation at a checkpoint in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“The vehicles, a custom-coloured Sienna and an ash-coloured Toyota RAV4, were intercepted, leading to the arrest of nine suspects comprising seven males and two females.
“A thorough search of the vehicles led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, charms and other items considered relevant to the ongoing investigation.
“The suspects and the recovered items were immediately taken into custody for questioning and further investigation.”
According to Ikenga, during preliminary interrogation, the suspects reportedly claimed to be security operatives based in a neighbouring state.
“However, they were unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding their identities, affiliations, possession of the firearms and the purpose of their movement into Anambra State.
“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the operatives for a job well done and encouraged them to remain vigilant, noting that the recovery was the result of intelligence-led policing and effective stop-and-search operations,” he added.
