By Kamsi Anayo
The Anambra State Police Command, in a joint security operation with other security agencies, has neutralised four suspected gunmen allegedly involved in terrorising residents along the Ogboji-Ajalli axis of Orumba North and Orumba South Local Government Areas.
The operation also led to the recovery of a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), AK-47 rifles, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and other incriminating items.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer in a statement on Wednesday, said the security operatives acted on credible intelligence regarding the movement of heavily armed members of a suspected secessionist armed group operating in a Toyota Sienna vehicle.
“During the operation, security operatives neutralised four members of the armed gang and recovered a cache of weapons, ammunition, explosive devices, and other incriminating items,” he said.
“Items recovered include one GPMG with 53 rounds of linked live ammunition, two AK-47 rifles, two magazines, 29 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, 13 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, four undetonated IEDs, police camouflage uniforms and accessories, and a white Toyota Sienna bus with registration number KJA 919 KH (Lagos).
“Other recovered items were 10 Android phones, two feature phones, a laptop computer, a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, two power banks, assorted charms, two live cartridges, ATM cards, a National Identification Card, and a driver’s licence belonging to identified individuals.” He said
Ikenga stressed that the operation was carried out during a visibility and confidence-building patrol following intelligence gathered over time on the activities of the suspected criminals.
According to him, preliminary investigations indicate that some members of the gang escaped into nearby bushes with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
“Consequently, the Joint Security Team has intensified combing and search operations in the area to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover additional weapons and operational equipment.
“ The Anambra State Police Command reiterated its commitment, in collaboration with other security agencies, to sustaining proactive, intelligence-driven operations aimed at safeguarding lives and property across the state.” The statement added.
