The Anambra State Police Command has apprehended a man suspected of providing firearms to criminals for illegal operations within Awka and its environs.

The suspect, identified as Friday Emenike, also known as “Ekpo,” aged 42, hails from Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. According to the police, Emenike allegedly rented guns and other weapons to criminals, facilitating their unlawful activities.

This arrest follows an earlier operation on December 7, 2024, when police operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Squad, Enugu-Ukwu, raided a black spot in Umunaga Village, Awka South Local Government Area. During that operation, two suspects, Okechukwu Chinwuko (27) of Umunaga Village and Ezenwa Chinedu (22) of Umuneri Village, were arrested. Items recovered included one pump-action gun, three live cartridges, a cutlass, criminal charms, and substances suspected to be hard drugs. The operatives also rescued two female victims who had reportedly been sexually abused by the suspects.

During interrogation, the arrested suspects confessed to renting their weapons from Emenike, prompting police operatives to launch a follow-up operation that led to his arrest.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed the arrest and stated that investigations are ongoing. “The case will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” he added.

The Anambra State Police Command reiterated its commitment to tackling criminal activities in the state and urged residents to provide any information that could assist the police in their investigations.