Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Abia State Police Command has announced a significant breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against illegal arms proliferation with the arrest of three suspected gun runners and the seizure of a cache of firearms during a targeted intelligence-led operation in Obingwa Local Government Area. The operation, conducted in the early hours of Thursday, marks one of the Command’s most substantial arms-recovery efforts in recent months and underscores the growing urgency among security agencies to stem the circulation of illegal weapons across communities in the state.
According to police authorities, the raid was prompted by actionable intelligence indicating that a group of individuals in the area had been actively involved in the sale and distribution of illicit firearms. Acting on the information, detectives launched a coordinated offensive on a specific location within the LGA, successfully apprehending three men suspected to be deeply connected to illegal arms transactions. The suspects were identified as 65-year-old Nworu John, 65-year-old Chikezie Ubani, and 55-year-old Collins Ukandu. All three were taken into custody without resistance as officers secured the area to prevent any escape attempt or destruction of evidence.
A thorough search of the premises led to the recovery of a considerable stockpile of weapons believed to have been intended for sale to criminal networks operating within and possibly beyond Abia State. Among the recovered items were two automatic pump-action guns and three locally crafted double-barrel guns, weapons commonly used by armed robbers, bandits and other violent groups due to their destructive capability and ease of concealment. Also retrieved was a single-barrel pump-action gun and a locally fabricated six-round revolver, an indication that the suspects may have had access not only to imported weapons but also to local gunsmiths who continue to play a troubling role in sustaining underground arms markets.
In addition to the firearms, officers found four live cartridges, further confirming that the suspects were actively prepared for distribution or possible deployment of the weapons. All exhibits have been secured as part of an expanding investigation aimed at tracing the source of the arms, identifying buyers, and uncovering any broader criminal networks linked to the suspects. Investigators believe the recovered items may be part of a larger circulation chain feeding armed robbery syndicates, cult groups, and other violent criminals that have occasionally threatened peace in parts of Abia.
The three suspects are currently undergoing rigorous interrogation at the Command headquarters as detectives work to determine the full scope of their operations, the duration of their alleged involvement in gun running, and whether they have ties to organised criminal groups operating within the South-East or neighbouring regions. Police sources say initial questioning suggests that the suspects may have been operating for a significant period, leveraging local knowledge and trusted networks to evade detection until the latest intelligence breakthrough.
Security analysts have long warned that the proliferation of illegal firearms poses one of the most significant threats to stability in the region, particularly as community clashes, cult violence and opportunistic criminal attacks continue to surface periodically. The Abia Police Command, under increasing pressure to confront these issues head-on, has in recent months intensified surveillance, broadened intelligence-gathering structures, and launched multiple tactical operations aimed at intercepting weapons before they reach criminal hands.
A spokesperson for the Command stated that the latest successful raid reflects a sustained and strategic shift toward disrupting arms-smuggling rings rather than merely responding to crimes after they occur. The spokesperson emphasized that the Command remains committed to dismantling the networks responsible for distributing weapons that fuel violence, noting that every recovered firearm represents one less tool that could be used to harm innocent citizens or undermine community safety.
The police also acknowledged the growing importance of public cooperation, noting that the actionable intelligence leading to the arrests was made possible through timely information shared by residents. Authorities encouraged community members to continue providing credible leads, stressing that collaboration between the police and the public remains essential for defeating criminal elements that thrive on secrecy and fear.
Beyond the immediate arrests, the Command’s leadership has reiterated its resolve to extend similar operations to all parts of the state, reaffirming its determination to create a safer environment through a combination of improved intelligence operations, strategic raids, and proactive community engagement. The Command highlighted that as Nigeria grapples with various security challenges, stemming the inflow and circulation of illegal weapons is critical to restoring public confidence and enabling peaceful social and economic activities.
Residents of Obingwa and neighbouring LGAs have reacted with a mixture of relief and heightened awareness, with some community leaders praising the police for acting swiftly and decisively. They expressed hope that the latest action would lead to the unmasking of additional suspects and put an end to local arms transactions that have, for years, contributed to rising insecurity. Others called for sustained vigilance, urging the police to maintain pressure on criminal elements who may attempt to regroup or relocate their operations in response to the recent crackdown.
As investigations continue, the Command has assured the public that all individuals found to be connected to the illegal arms network will be prosecuted accordingly. Authorities further confirmed that profiling of the suspects is ongoing and that additional details will be made public as soon as investigations reach conclusive stages.
For now, Thursday’s operation stands as a notable success for the Abia State Police Command and a significant stride in the broader national effort to curb illegal arms circulation. With the suspects in custody, the recovered weapons secured and investigations deepening, security officials say they remain optimistic that more breakthroughs are on the horizon as the fight against illegal arms dealing intensifies across the region.
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