Enugu Police Nab Firearm Repairer, Two Others, Recover Guns

The Enugu State Police Command says its operatives have arrested an alleged firearm repairer and two other male suspects in separate operations across Nsukka and the 9th Mile axis, recovering locally made firearms, ammunition, a motorcycle and other suspected incriminating items.

The Command said the arrests followed sustained proactive policing, including stop-and-search operations, surveillance patrols and intelligence-led actions across parts of the state.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, the Command said that on 19 May 2026 at about 3:30 p.m., operatives of the Surveillance Team of Okpuje Division intercepted Sunday Okwumaji, aged 23, at Ovogovo in Nsukka Local Government Area.

A search of his bag, the police said, led to the recovery of one locally made pistol loaded with one live cartridge. The suspect reportedly claimed to be a firearm repairer and said the weapon was handed over to him for repair by an unidentified owner who is currently at large.

The statement added that on the same day at about 5:00 p.m., operatives of the Command’s Distress Response Squad intercepted a motorcycle carrying three occupants along the Abor/Nsukka Old Road in the 9th Mile area.

According to the Command, two suspects fled on sighting the operatives, while one Chimobi Ozo, aged 27, was arrested. A search of his bag allegedly led to the recovery of one locally fabricated revolver pistol and four live cartridges.

The suspect reportedly confessed to involvement in cult-related activities and said he and his fleeing accomplices were heading to a secret cult meeting at Ijebuoghene in Udi Local Government Area before they were intercepted.

In another operation, the Command said operatives attached to Nsukka Area Command, while on patrol at Amaenu Edem on 15 May 2026 at about 11:20 a.m., observed a motorcyclist who abandoned his motorcycle and fled on sighting the police.

A search of the abandoned bag, it said, led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, one live cartridge and other items including bunches of keys, a suspected drug-use tube, torchlight, spanners and an iron cutter.

The Command added that acting on credible intelligence, the suspect identified as Ekene Alphous Ugwu, aged 31, was arrested on 16 May 2026 at about 10:00 a.m.

The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest fleeing accomplices, adding that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has commended the operatives for their vigilance and professionalism. 

He reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to sustain the fight against crime in the state and urged residents to remain law-abiding and support security agencies with credible and timely information.