Anambra Police apprehend two suspected armed robbers after gun battle

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspected armed robbers linked to a banned secessionist group following a two-hour gunfight at Enugwu-Agidi Junction in Dunukofia Local Government Area.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement on Thursday that the arrests happened in the early hours of Wednesday after a shootout with a five-man robbery gang.

Ikenga described the arrests as another major success in the command’s ongoing efforts to remove criminals from the state and protect lives and property.

He said police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, carried out the operation based on credible and actionable intelligence after laying an ambush for the five-man group of armed hoodlums.

He added that the operatives recovered one T.06 rifle, two pump-action guns, 24 rounds of T.06 ammunition, 15 live cartridges, assorted criminal charms, one cult red beret and one black Toyota Highlander vehicle.

The statement read in part, “The Anambra State Police Command in the early hours of January 14, 2026, recorded another major operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure the safety of lives and property.

“The police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, laid an ambush for a five-man group of armed hoodlums suspected to be armed robbers, cultists, and linked to a proscribed secessionist group at Enugwu Agidi Junction, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“Upon sighting the operatives, the suspects engaged the officers in a fierce gun battle that lasted two hours, which resulted in fatal gunshot injuries to two of the armed suspects, while the other three fled the scene with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

“The operatives also recovered one T.06 rifle, two pump-action guns, 24 rounds of T.06 ammunition, 15 live cartridges, assorted criminal charms, one cult red beret and one black Toyota Highlander vehicle.

“Furthermore, while in deep agony, one of the armed suspects confessed that the gang members were part of those who launched an unsuccessful but repelled attack by police operatives on the convoy of the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, as well as the striking squad of the Vikings Confraternity on a mission to retaliate the death of one of their members by a rival cult group.”

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, while commending the gallantry of the operatives, charged them to intensify efforts to arrest other gang members, particularly those who fled with gunshot injuries during the encounter.

“Meanwhile, hospitals and related medical facilities are advised to admit anyone with gunshot wounds or related injuries, but must endeavour to report such to the nearest police station immediately.

“Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress,” he added.

Very Nigerian on November 1, 2025, reported that the Anambra State Police Command arrested a 25-year-old man, Friday Anyikame, described as a suspected member of a proscribed secessionist group, during an early-morning intelligence-led operation in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, apprehended the suspect and recovered two pump-action firearms and 29 live cartridges.

Ikenga said the arrest followed heightened security surveillance and raid operations ordered by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, across the state.

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