The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two men and recovered a six-round English-made pistol during a stop-and-search operation in Nnewi North metropolis. The suspects, Ekwulugo Chiemierie Joseph, 33, and Enyiobi Geoffrey Somtochukwu, 29, were riding a Tiger 150 motorcycle without a registration number when they were stopped by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Nnewi Sector, and Police Mobile Force (PMF) 54. The police took them into custody and are investigating the origin and intended use of the firearm.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, the recovery was made on the evening of September 26, 2026. The joint team was conducting a visibility patrol when they stopped the two suspects. The police are working to establish how the suspects came to be in possession of the firearm and what it was intended to be used for. The investigation is ongoing, and the police are looking into other circumstances surrounding the recovery.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Nnanna Oji Ama, said the recovery demonstrated the importance of maintaining police visibility and conducting well-coordinated stop-and-search operations. He assured residents of Nnewi and Ndi Anambra that the Command would continue to sustain proactive patrols, intelligence-led operations, and strategic stop-and-search activities across the State. The goal is to identify and disrupt the movement of firearms and other dangerous weapons that could facilitate violent crimes.
Commissioner Ama emphasized the need for community cooperation in the fight against crime. He called on members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly provide the Police with credible information concerning suspicious persons, movements, or activities within their communities. The police appreciate the continued support and cooperation of Ndi Anambra and reiterate their commitment to working with the public to keep the State safe.
The suspects, Ekwulugo Chiemierie Joseph and Enyiobi Geoffrey Somtochukwu, are currently assisting the Police with the ongoing investigation. The police are working to establish the origin of the firearm and the suspects' intentions. The recovery of the pistol is a significant achievement for the Anambra State Police Command, which has been working to curb the proliferation of small arms in the State.
The Anambra State Police Command's efforts to curb crime are part of a larger strategy to maintain peace and security in the State. The Command has been working to strengthen community policing and improve intelligence gathering. The recovery of the pistol is a testament to the effectiveness of these efforts.
The police have reiterated their commitment to keeping the State safe and have called on the public to cooperate with them in the fight against crime. The investigation into the origin and intended use of the firearm is ongoing, and the police are working to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- - Two men were arrested and a six-round English-made pistol was recovered during a stop-and-search operation in Nnewi North metropolis. - The police are investigating the origin and intended use of the firearm. - The Anambra State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to working with the public to keep the State safe.
