Anambra police raid uncovers explosives, rocket launchers and heavy ammunition during a major security operation in Owerre-Ezukala

The Anambra State Police Command has raided a suspected secessionist camp in Owerre-Ezukala, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, recovering a large cache of sophisticated weapons and ammunition after a fierce gun battle with armed suspects.

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The command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday.

According to the statement, the clearance operation was carried out on May 6 by operatives of the Inspector General of Police’s Violent Crime Response Unit under the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, led by Chief Superintendent of Police Orebe Mathew.

Tochukwu Ikenga said the joint security team acted on credible intelligence obtained from a 37-year-old suspect already in custody, identified as Nnamdi Ogbonna, who was described as one of the alleged top commanders of the proscribed secessionist group.

The operation reportedly lasted several hours as security operatives engaged the armed suspects in an intense exchange of gunfire before successfully dislodging them from the camp.

Police said several suspects escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

Items recovered during the Anambra police raid included one General Purpose Machine Gun loaded with about 2,000 rounds of live chain ammunition, two fabricated rocket launchers with 25 propellers, 10 locally-made Improvised Explosive Devices, one locally-made Beretta pistol, two pump-action guns and three hand grenades.

Security operatives also recovered 10 rounds of K2 live ammunition, a gas cylinder and a black Ecolac box from the camp.

The statement noted that the camp had previously been destroyed by a joint security team, but intelligence reports later revealed attempts by some fleeing gang members to regroup in the area.

According to the police, Nnamdi Ogbonna confessed to involvement in several violent attacks across Anambra State, including assaults on police facilities, killings of police officers, military personnel and civil defence operatives, as well as attacks on government infrastructure.

The suspect was also alleged to have participated in attacks on security operatives conducting stop-and-search duties on roads across the state.

Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu commended the operatives involved in the operation, saying the newly created Violent Crime Response Unit had strengthened the command’s capacity to confront criminal elements threatening peace and security in the state.

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The police added that further developments on the operation would be communicated in due course.