Police raid secessionist hideout, arrest 65-year-old suspect, six others in Anambra
August 14, 2026 8:25 pm
File. A Nigerian Policeman
The Anambra State Police Command has raided some criminal hideouts across the state, recovering several sophisticated arms and ammunition and arresting some suspects, including a 65-year-old secessionist member and six other suspects.
The command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement on Friday, said the clearance operation was carried out by the operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit on Thursday in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
Ikenga explained that the joint security team, acting on credible information, raided identified black spots and criminal hideouts in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area and Umudioka, Dinukofia LGA of the state.
According to him, the operation resulted in the arrest of a 65-year-old male, Ifeanyi Ogbuagbo, in Umudioka as well as six other suspects identified as Chisom Okafor, female, 25 years; Onyedika Moses, male, 36 years; Iruka Nwaonu, male, 30 years; Joseph Nwankwo, male, 36 years; Chukwujekwu Nwoso, male, 32 years; and Akanimo Orok, male, 40 years.
The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command has continued its sustained security operations and raid of criminal hideouts across the State, in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu and the Command’s intensified operational strategy against violent crimes, cultism and illicit drug activities.
“Acting on credible intelligence in the evening of August 13, 2026, Operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested a 65-year-old male, Ifeanyi Ogbuagbo, in Umudioka.
“A careful search of his residence led to the recovery of an Army uniform and expended shells of ammunition concealed in a black polythene bag.
“Preliminary information reveals that the suspect is linked to a criminal gang agitating for self-government.
“The suspect has been taken into custody for investigation, while efforts are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the recovered items and his alleged activities.”
According to him, in the evening of the same date, operatives acting on credible intelligence and in furtherance of the directive to raid identified black spots and criminal hideouts stormed a suspected criminal hideout in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area.
“The operation resulted in the arrest of six suspects identified as: Chisom Okafor, female, 25 years; Onyedika Moses, male, 36 years; Iruka Nwaonu, male, 30 years; Joseph Nwankwo, male, 36 years; Chukwujekwu Nwoso, male, 32 years; and Akanimo Orok, male, 40 years.
“During the operation, a sizeable quantity of dried weeds suspected to be Cannabis Sativa and other substances suspected to be illicit drugs were recovered,” he added.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, reiterated that the Command will continue to deploy intelligence-led operations, strategic patrols and coordinated raids to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt illicit drug activities and deny criminals safe havens across Anambra State.
The CP further directs that the ongoing raid operation of criminal hideouts, drug-selling spots and other identified areas of criminal activities be intensified and sustained.
Ikenna Obianeri is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over 10 years of experience in reporting and storytelling. He conducts incisive interviews, covers crime and environmental issues, and produces engaging feature stories tailored for digital audiences. Ikenna’s work reflects strong newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to impactful, audience-focused journalism
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