By Okey Maduforo, Awka

The Anambra Joint Task Force on Security has arrested nine suspected gunmen and recovered two vehicles, three firearms and other items during a stop-and-search operation in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The suspects, comprising seven males and two females, were arrested in the early hours of Friday, August 28, 2026, when security operatives intercepted two vehicles at a checkpoint in the community.

The operation was led by the Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Austin Elaigwu, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service and operatives of the Agunechemba Security Outfit.

The vehicles, a custom-coloured Toyota Sienna and an ash-coloured Toyota RAV4, were subjected to a thorough search following their interception.

Security operatives subsequently recovered three AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, charms and other items considered relevant to the ongoing investigation.

The suspects and the recovered items were immediately taken into custody for questioning and further investigation.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspects reportedly claimed to be security operatives based in a neighbouring state.

However, they allegedly failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding their identities, affiliations, possession of the firearms and the purpose of their movement into Anambra State.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, psc, mnips, commended the operatives for the successful operation.

He urged them to remain vigilant, noting that the recovery was the result of intelligence-led policing and effective stop-and-search operations.

Six suspected members of a gang of gunmen terrorising Amiyi Community and neighbouring towns in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State have been killed by a joint security task force.

The gunmen met their end after security operatives, acting on intelligence gathered over several days, tracked them to their camp around the River Niger creek.

The operation involved personnel of the Nigeria Police Force Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu; Department of State Services (DSS); 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha; Nigerian Navy personnel from Ogbaru; and Agunachamba operatives from the community.

The security team trekked for about four hours through difficult terrain and dense palm forest before reaching the suspected criminal camp.

On sighting the operatives, the gunmen opened fire, triggering a prolonged gun battle.

At the end of the encounter, six suspected members of the group were neutralised, while others fled, some reportedly with gunshot wounds.

Two pump-action guns and charms were recovered from the camps, while structures believed to have been used by the gang were subsequently dismantled.

However, the operation came at a cost, as one security operative was killed and another injured after an explosive device suspected to have been planted in the area detonated.

The injured operative is receiving treatment in a hospital.

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the security personnel and community-based operatives for their courage and resilience, describing the operation as a demonstration of the importance of intelligence sharing, inter-agency cooperation and community support in tackling violent crime.

He commiserated with the family and colleagues of the fallen operative and wished the injured officer a speedy recovery.

The Commissioner assured residents that security agencies would sustain intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal camps, recover illegal weapons and prevent armed groups from establishing operational bases across Anambra State.

Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have rescued three victims of abduction and recovered their Lexus RX350, two locally made firearms and ammunition following a hot pursuit of suspected kidnappers in Enugu.
The operation was carried out by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), with support from members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group and local residents.
According to a statement by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the operation followed credible intelligence received at about 1:30 a.m. on August 18, 2026, while the operatives were conducting crime-prevention patrols along the Port Harcourt Expressway.
The information concerned the carjacking and abduction of occupants of a Lexus RX350 by armed hoodlums in the Independence Layout area of Enugu.
The operatives immediately launched a hot pursuit which led to Hillview Road, Independence Layout, where the suspects abandoned the vehicle and firearms before fleeing into the area.
The three victims were subsequently rescued unharmed and taken to safety with the assistance of Neighbourhood Watch members and other residents.
Police said they recovered one locally fabricated Beretta-like pistol loaded with five rounds of 9mm live ammunition, one locally made cut-to-size firearm and one live cartridge.
Other items recovered were a pair of hand gloves, a ski mask and a mobile phone.
The Command said investigation had been intensified and a manhunt launched for the fleeing suspects, with efforts ongoing to identify and apprehend them, recover additional exhibits and establish their involvement in the crime.
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the police operatives, Neighbourhood Watch members and residents for their swift and coordinated response.
Giwa reiterated the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led and community-supported operations against kidnapping, armed robbery, car snatching and other violent crimes.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with timely and credible information that could assist in preventing and solving crimes.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a suspect for allegedly swindling 16 job seekers within Enugu metropolis.

The Commandant of NSCDC Enugu State Command, Dr Elijah Willie, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the arrest and investigation on Monday.

Willie said that the suspect collected a total of N6,139,000 from the ignorant and unsuspecting job seekers.

He said that the suspect, Mrs Serah Onyemerela, had been evading arrest by many security agencies until a resourceful officer of the command tracked her down and brought her to the Command.

The Commandant said that the suspect collected the sum of N306,000 from each of the 16 job seekers in the alleged job racketeering or job scam,which totalled N6,139,000.

“On August 12 and 18, 2026, Mrs Love Nnenna Onyema and Mrs Chidimma Ubah, the complainants, reported that Mrs Serah Uchechukwu Onyemerela, the suspect, defrauded them of N770,000 and N424,500 respectively.

“This amount to a total of N1,194,500 from both. However, the ones collected among the remaining people that made up the 16 job seekers at N306,000 each totalled N6,139,000.

“The suspect allegedly promised to assist the complainants in securing employment at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH).

“However, there is evidence indicating a lack of genuine intent, as there are no current job vacancies available, and the suspect has failed to refund the amounts as promised,” he said.

Willie said that on Aug. 17, 2026, the suspect was summoned, tracked and subsequently detained due to her inability to fulfil the conditions of an administrative bail application facilitated by the NSCDC Enugu State Command.

“The suspect has since confessed to the charges of job fraud and obtaining money under false pretences.

“The funds were transferred to a personnel account linked to Mrs Onyemerela Serah Uchechukwu,” he said.

The Commandant also warned job seekers and people seeking for help in any form to ensure no one places them in a condition to pay first before rendering a help.

Willie called on Nigerians, enlightened or not, to see the red flag that any help being offered even in prayer houses and money payment comes before the job or help is “total fraud”.

He said, “Our people should get wise like people in advance world and stop falling prey to swindlers and wicked people who are bent on taking the little they have from them.

“However, the NSCDC has a mandate to take away these unscrupulous elements out of the society for Nigerians to experience peace as well as the trust and bond in the society continue.”

The suspect would be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) soon as the NSCDC conclude its preliminary investigations on the matter.