Three Anambra security operatives arraigned over alleged illegal firearms

Three members of a local security outfit in Anambra State have been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Awka over allegations of unlawful possession of firearms and conspiracy to commit malicious damage.

The defendants, identified as Echezona Ezeonyejekwe, Sunday Azuma, and Chinedu Nwakwo, are members of the Agunechemba security outfit attached to Onitsha South Local Government Area. They were brought before the court on Friday, May 15, 2026, by the Nigeria Police Force Zone 13 Command, Ukpo.

According to court documents cited by The Punch, the defendants are accused of unlawfully possessing three pump-action rifles without a valid licence, an offence said to contravene Section 3 and punishable under Section 27(1)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The charge sheet further alleges that the defendants, “while acting in concert and armed with guns, machetes, hammers, and other dangerous weapons,” conspired to destroy three buildings valued at ₦700 million belonging to Sabest Uzor, an offence under Section 451(b) of the Criminal Code Act.

The defendants were remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre pending further hearing after the charges were read in court. However, the Onitsha South Local Government Area has rejected the charges, insisting the operatives were lawfully deployed for official security duties at a fire service station under construction along Silas Works Road, Fegge, Onitsha.

In a statement quoted by The Punch, the Council Secretary, Paul Onuachalla, said the operatives were “lawfully deployed to provide security” and expressed concern over their arrest while on official assignment. 

He also alleged that the police did not initially serve the defendants with the charges before arraignment.

The local government further claimed that police bail was eventually secured through its intervention, while describing the prosecution as inconsistent with Anambra State’s homeland security framework.

The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 13 Command, has not issued a detailed public response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.

Source: The Punch