By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has recovered yet another abandoned AK-47 rifle — this time, from the roof of a residential apartment under renovation in Ihuowele Ngo Village, Igbo-ukwu, Aguata Local Government Area of the state.
The discovery, which occurred around 12:30pm on Thursday, July 11, was made possible through what the police described as necessary and timely information volunteered by good members of the community. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, officers from the Command proceeded to the location and confirmed the presence of the AK-47 (old model), which was concealed in the roof of the apartment.
According to a press release issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, preliminary investigations revealed that the apartment was previously occupied by a certain man identified simply as Samson, who is already being linked to the recovered rifle. The said Samson, who was described in the press release as “a notorious individual,” reportedly vacated the building in June 2024 and has not been seen in the area since then.
The statement further confirmed that efforts are currently underway to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspect as investigations continue into the origin and intended use of the recovered firearm.
While reacting to the discovery, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, praised the vigilance and sense of civic duty demonstrated by the community members, and emphasized that such collaborative spirit is essential in the ongoing battle against insecurity and criminality in the state. He urged Ndi Anambra to continue to offer timely, accurate, and actionable information to the police to enable them discharge their constitutional mandate effectively.
CP Orutugu reaffirmed the Command’s unrelenting commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state, and warned that Anambra remains no safe haven for criminals or their stockpiles of arms, regardless of where or how they are hidden.
Thursday’s discovery — which followed the recovery of another abandoned AK-47 at Ekwulobia in the same Aguata Local Government Area — marks another notable stride in the police’s sustained mop-up operations across the state, as the Command continues to respond swiftly to tips from residents, while consolidating on the community policing initiative already recording successes in the state.
