The Anambra State Police Command has arrested Friday Emenike, also known as Ekpo, a 42-year-old suspected gunrunner, in Awka, the state capital.
Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson for the command, announced the arrest in a statement on Monday.
He said Emenike’s apprehension followed the confession of two robbery suspects earlier detained by the police.
“Police operatives from the Anambra State Police Command have arrested one Friday Emenike, alias Ekpo ‘M,’ 42 years old, from Izzi Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State, who allegedly lends guns/weapons to criminals for their illegal operations, especially within Awka and its environs,” the statement read.
The Anti-Cultism Squad in Enugu Ukwu had earlier raided a black spot in Umunaga village, Awka South LGA, leading to the arrest of Okechukwu Chinwuko, 27, and Ezenwa Chinedu, 22.
During the operation, the police recovered a pump-action gun, three live cartridges, a cutlass, criminal charms, and substances suspected to be hard drugs.
Two female victims, allegedly sexually abused by the suspects, were also rescued.
Ikenga said the arrested suspects confessed to renting firearms from Emenike, prompting the police to act swiftly and arrest him.
The police confirmed that Emenike and the other suspects would be charged in court upon the completion of investigations.