By Ikeugonna Eleke
Police in Anambra State have intercepted a gunrunner who was conveying rifles meant for secessionists who planned to use it to enforce the sit-at-home exercise billed for last Thursday, May 30.
The spokesperson of Anambra State Police Command who disclosed this said the success of the operation was made possible by intelligence gathered by men of the Command.
He said: ‘Anambra police operatives today 23/5/2024 by 11:30 am intercepted a gang member of a notorious gun-running syndicate in Onitsha, recovered seven brand new Jojef magnum pump action guns in a concealed bag.
‘This breakthrough is following the practical intelligence and tact-led policing strategy of the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, to frustrate criminal plans, especially on the intel (intelligence) received over time about planned attacks by unlawful groups/secessionists to enforce illegal sit-at-home on 30th May 2024.’
A secessionist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had recently declared May 30 as Heroes Day to honour the souls of those killed during the civil war.
The group warned that the day would be marked by staying at home, and that anyone found violating the order would be dealt with. It also wrote to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, to cancel its examination and proposed convocation respectively, which were scheduled for that day.
Ikenga describing how the gunrunner was intercepted, said, ‘The operatives laid ambush at the identified location at Creek Road, Onitsha, and the gunrunner on sighting the police abandoned the bag and took to his heels.’
He said CP Itam had directed a manhunt for the suspect and his gang members, while calling on Anambra citizens to sustain the provision of security information, assuring that police would continue to act on them.
