Arms recovered as police storm secessionist stronghold in Anambra

Police forces raided a suspected secessionist camp in Owerre Ezukala, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, seizing heavy weapons, explosives and live ammunition.

The operation was conducted by members of the Inspector‑General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team and the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, on Tuesday, May 6, after intelligence was received from a detained suspect, Nnamdi Ogbonna, 37.

Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, announced the raid in a statement on Wednesday, May 13, noting that the officers confronted the hoodlums in a gun battle before seizing control of the camp.

He said the hideout yielded one general‑purpose machine gun with approximately 2,000 rounds of live ammunition, two fabricated rocket launchers, 25 rocket propellers, 10 improvised explosive devices, one locally manufactured Beretta pistol, two pump‑action guns and three hand grenades.

“The operatives acted on credible intelligence and stormed the camp where the armed criminals were regrouping. The suspects fled the scene with varying degrees of bullet injuries after a fierce exchange of gunfire with security operatives,” the police spokesman said.

He added that a detained suspect admitted to involvement in attacks on security formations and government facilities within the state.

Anambra State Police Commissioner, CP Ikioye Orutugu, praised the officers for the successful operation and reiterated the command’s resolve to continue the crackdown on criminal elements that threaten peace and security in the state.