Police arrest 49-year-old man with pump-action gun, 50 live cartridges in Anambra

By Sunny A. David, Awka

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old man, identified as Chima Ogumba, following the recovery of a pump-action firearm and 50 live cartridges in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

Ogumba was arrested on Monday morning, August 17, 2026, by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, during an intelligence-led operation along Nkpor Road in Idemili North.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed the development in a statement issued to journalists on Tuesday.

According to Ikenga, the operatives acted on credible intelligence and conducted a search on the suspect, leading to the recovery of one pump-action gun and 50 live cartridges.

He said the suspect could not provide what the police considered a satisfactory explanation for his possession of the firearm and ammunition.
Ikenga added that the command had commenced an investigation to determine the source of the weapons and their intended use.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has directed that the suspect be thoroughly investigated to establish whether he has any connection with armed robbery or other criminal activities.

The investigation will also determine whether the recovered firearm and ammunition were linked to any ongoing or planned criminal operation.

The police spokesman said the arrest formed part of the command’s sustained intelligence-led operations and targeted interventions aimed at identifying and disrupting criminal networks across Anambra State.

Ikenga further quoted CP Oji Ama as reaffirming the command’s commitment to proactive policing, intelligence gathering, targeted patrols and sustained tactical operations to improve security and dismantle criminal networks in the state.

The suspect remains in police custody as investigation into the matter continues.