The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two men after allegedly recovering a six-round English-made pistol from them during a stop-and-search operation in Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, identified as 33-year-old Ekwulugo Chiemierie Joseph and 29-year-old Enyiobi Geoffrey Somtochukwu, were arrested on Saturday evening by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Nnewi Sector, in collaboration with the Police Mobile Force, 54 Squadron.
The suspects were travelling on a Tiger 150 motorcycle without a registration number when they were stopped during a visibility patrol in Nnewi metropolis.
A search of the men and their motorcycle allegedly led to the recovery of the pistol.
They were subsequently taken into custody and are assisting the police with an ongoing investigation.
The police said the investigation would determine how the suspects allegedly came into possession of the firearm, where it was obtained and what it was intended for.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Nnanna Oji Ama, said the recovery underscored the importance of police visibility and stop-and-search operations in tackling crime.
He said, “The recovery demonstrates the importance of maintaining police visibility and conducting well-coordinated stop-and-search operations as part of the Command’s intelligence-led and community-based policing strategy.
“Such operations are particularly important in identifying and disrupting the movement of firearms and other dangerous weapons that could be used to facilitate violent crimes.”
The CP said the command would sustain patrols, intelligence-led operations and stop-and-search activities across the state.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide the police with credible information about suspicious persons, movements or activities in their communities.
