Police arrest three ‘fake security operatives’ in Anambra, recover weapon

The Anambra police command says its operatives have arrested three individuals suspected to be fake security operatives in the state.

A statement by Tochukwu Ikenga, police spokesperson in the state, said the suspects were apprehended on Wednesday by the command’s anti-cultism squad.

Ikenga said one of the suspects identified as Chidi Ekwesiri claimed to be a sergeant serving in Lagos, which he later denied in the course of the interrogation.

He added that the operative also recovered one automatic pump action gun and a police uniform from the suspects.

Nnaghe Itam, the state’s commissioner of police, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the state criminal investigation department in Awka, the state capital, for investigation.

“In the early hours of today 18th December 2024, Operatives of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad of the Nigerian Police Enugwu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State arrested one Chidi Ekwesiri (M) aged 50 years from Umunya, Oyi LGA and two others,” the statement reads.

“They also recovered one automatic pump action gun and a Police uniform from the suspects.

“The Operatives spotted the suspect while on surveillance patrol along the Onitsha – Enugu Expressway by Unizik Temp Site. During interrogations, the suspect claimed to be a Sergeant and a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos but later denied his earlier claim.

“He also confessed that the gun was given to him by a yet to be identified man at Ukpo.

“Further information from the suspect led to the arrest of two other suspects who are currently undergoing police interrogation.”