By Chizoba Njaka
Operatives of the Inspector-General of Police’s Violent Crime Response Unit attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, have recovered a large cache of sophisticated weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices from a criminal camp in Owerre-Ezukala, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State. The operation, which took place on May 6, 2026, followed actionable intelligence obtained from a suspect currently in police custody, identified as 37-year-old Nnamdi Nkemdilim Ogbonna, alleged to be a top commander of a proscribed secessionist group.
According to police authorities, the recovered items included one General Purpose Machine Gun loaded with about 2,000 rounds of live ammunition, two fabricated rocket launchers with 25 propellers, ten locally made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), one locally fabricated Beretta pistol, two pump-action guns, three hand grenades, ten rounds of K2 live ammunition, a gas cylinder, and a black Ecolac box.
Police disclosed that the camp had earlier been destroyed by a Joint Security Team during previous operations. However, intelligence reports indicated that fleeing gang members were attempting to regroup at the location before operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit stormed the area. During the operation, security operatives reportedly engaged the armed suspects in a gun battle, forcing several of them to flee with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
Investigators further revealed that the suspect in custody confessed to participating in several violent attacks across Anambra State, including assaults on police facilities, killings of personnel from the Police, Military, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, attacks on government infrastructure, and the murder of security operatives conducting stop-and-search operations on roads within the state.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, stated that the establishment of the Violent Crime Response Unit has significantly enhanced the Command’s ability to sustain aggressive operations against criminal elements threatening public peace and security in the state.
He assured residents that the Command remains committed to restoring safety across Anambra and promised that further updates on the ongoing investigation would be communicated in due course.
Chizoba is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
Last modified: May 7, 2026
