Police seize illegal guns in Anambra, arrest nine people

The Anambra State Police have caught two vehicles carrying illegal guns. This led to the arrest of nine people, seven men and two women.

The vehicles were stopped during a search at a checkpoint in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, early on Friday.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the state's police spokesperson, shared this in a press statement on Friday. He said the Joint Operation Base, Aguata, led by Chief Superintendent of Police Austin Elaigwu, worked with other security agencies to make the interception.

The agencies involved were the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, and operatives of the Agunechemba Security Outfit.

Ikenga mentioned that a search of the vehicles revealed three AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, charms, and other items important for the investigation.

He said the suspects and the items found were taken into custody for questioning and further investigation.

The statement noted, "The Anambra State Police Command, through the Joint Operation Base, Aguata, led by 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."

Ikenga said that during questioning, the suspects claimed to be security operatives from a nearby state.

"But they could not provide clear answers about who they were, their connections, or why they had the guns while entering Anambra State."

The Commissioner of Police for Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, praised the officers for their good work. He urged them to stay alert, saying this success came from smart policing and effective search operations.