The Anambra Police Command has arrested Okechukwu Igwegbe. He was arrested for alleged unlawful possession of a pump-action gun and 11 live cartridges. The arrest occurred in Uruagu, Nnewi. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this on Saturday in Awka.
Illegal firearms are a persistent problem in Nigeria. The proliferation of small arms has been linked to banditry, kidnapping and cult violence. In 2024, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons estimated that over 6 million illegal firearms circulate in the country. The police frequently announce arrests for unlawful possession. Prosecutions are less common. Many suspects are released without charge. The cycle continues.
The suspect was arrested on 18 September by operatives of the command’s Tactical Team, led by ACP Ezekiel Imoh. The arrest followed credible intelligence. Operatives recovered one pump-action firearm and 11 live cartridges. The recovered items are secured as exhibits.
The suspect has declined to make a statement. He has not provided information on the source of the firearm or the circumstances of its possession. The police said the investigation is continuing through other lawful means. Investigators are working to establish the provenance of the firearm and ammunition. They will also determine whether the items are connected to any criminal activity. Forensic examination and ballistic tracing will be conducted where applicable.
The Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Ama, commended the operatives. He reiterated the command’s commitment to disrupting the circulation of illegal firearms. He urged the public to provide credible and timely information.
The suspect’s silence is his right. It also slows the investigation. Without his cooperation, the police must rely on forensic evidence and intelligence. If the firearm is linked to a crime, the case becomes stronger. If not, the suspect may face only a possession charge.
Winners: The police, which made an arrest. The public, which is safer with one fewer illegal firearm. The Tactical Team, which demonstrated capacity. Losers: The suspect, who faces prosecution. The firearm’s source, which remains unknown. The police, if the case collapses. Communities where illegal firearms circulate.
Bottom Line: A pump-action gun and 11 cartridges were recovered. The suspect said nothing. The investigation continues. The firearm’s history will determine the case. If it was used in a crime, the arrest matters more. If not, it is one gun among millions.