Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested an alleged firearm repairer and two other men for unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition, and suspected cultism during separate operations in Nsukka and the 9th Mile area.
According to a press release issued on 24 May 2026, the arrests and recoveries were made during “sustained proactive policing operations across the State.”
Recovered exhibits include “three locally made guns, six live cartridges, a motorcycle, and other incriminating items,” the command said.
On 19 May 2026, at about 3:30 p.m., operatives of the Okpuje Division Surveillance Team intercepted Sunday Okwumaji, 23, during a stop-and-search at Ovogovo in Nsukka Local Government Area.
“A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of one locally made pistol loaded with one live cartridge concealed in his bag,” the statement said.
Okwumaji, a native of Alogwugwu in Igala-Mela LGA, Kogi State, “claimed to be a firearm repairer and stated that the firearm was handed over to him for repairs by its owner, who is currently at large.”
Later the same day at about 5:00 p.m., operatives of the Distress Response Squad (DRS) stopped a motorcycle carrying three occupants along Abor/Nsukka Old Road, 9th Mile. Two suspects, including the rider, fled, while Chimobi Ozo, 27, was arrested.
“Recovered from his bag were one locally fabricated revolver pistol and four live cartridges,” police said. Ozo “confessed to involvement in cult-related activities and stated that he and his fleeing accomplices were heading to a secret cult gathering at Ijebuoghene in Udi LGA before their interception.”
In a separate operation on 15 May 2026, Nsukka Area Command operatives on patrol along Amaenu Edem, Nsukka, observed a rider who abandoned his motorcycle and bag and fled on sighting the team. A search yielded “one locally made pistol, one live cartridge, four bunches of keys, a tube suspected to be used for taking illicit drugs, torchlight, spanners, and an iron cutter.”
Acting on intelligence, police arrested the suspect, Ekene Alphous Ugwu, 31, on 16 May 2026.
“Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing accomplices, while the suspects will be arraigned upon conclusion of investigations,” the command added.
Commissioner of Police CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa commended the operatives for their “vigilance and professionalism.” He reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to “sustain the fight against crime and criminality in the State” and urged residents to “remain vigilant, law-abiding, and supportive by providing credible and timely information to the Police and other security agencies.”
The statement was signed by SP Daniel Ndukwe, Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command.