By Deborah Nnamdi
The Anambra State Police Command has recorded a major security breakthrough following the neutralisation of four suspected members of an armed secessionist gang during a gun battle with a police-led Joint Security Patrol Team in Orumba South Local Government Area.
The operation, which took place on June 23 along the Ogboji–Ajalli Road, also led to the recovery of a cache of weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), police uniforms, and other items believed to belong to the criminal group.
Confirming the development on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the success was achieved through sustained intelligence gathering and proactive security operations aimed at tracking heavily armed criminal elements operating in the area.
According to him, security operatives encountered the suspects during a visibility and confidence-building patrol, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Ikenga disclosed that four suspected gang members were killed during the confrontation, while several others escaped into nearby bushes with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
Items recovered from the scene include a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) loaded with 53 rounds of linked live ammunition, two AK-47 rifles, two magazines, 29 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, 13 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and four undetonated improvised explosive devices.
The security team also recovered police camouflage uniforms and accessories, a white Toyota Sienna bus with Lagos registration number KJA 919 KH, ten Android phones, two feature phones, a laptop computer, a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, two power banks, assorted charms, two live cartridges, ATM cards, a National Identification Card, and a Driver’s Licence.
The police spokesman said the operation was intelligence-driven and followed credible information on the movement of heavily armed members of the suspected secessionist group who were reportedly using the recovered vehicle.
He added that joint security forces have intensified search operations in the area to track down fleeing suspects and recover additional weapons and operational equipment.
Ikenga reiterated the commitment of the Anambra State Police Command and other security agencies to sustaining intelligence-led operations against criminal elements threatening public safety.
He assured residents that security operatives would continue efforts to dismantle criminal networks and maintain peace across the state.
The operation is regarded as one of the most significant security successes recorded in Anambra in recent months as authorities intensify efforts to curb violent crime and restore public confidence in security.
