Anambra Police Arrest Two Suspects, Recover Gunpowder Hidden in Bags of ‘Garri’

The Anambra State Police Command has announced the arrest of two suspected armed robbers by a joint security force, which also recovered a locally-made pistol, live ammunition, and a significant quantity of gunpowder concealed in bags of cassava flakes, commonly known as ‘garri.’

This was disclosed in a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Wednesday in Awka, the state capital. The suspects were apprehended during an intelligence-driven patrol in the Pillar-Pole area of Aguata Local Government Area on Sunday.

According to the police, security operatives intercepted one suspect, whose identity was withheld, carrying three bags of garri. Upon inspection, they discovered a large quantity of gunpowder hidden beneath the edible cassava flakes.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect was transporting the gunpowder to a criminal camp, where it was intended for use in the production of improvised explosives, while the groceries were for the gang’s consumption,” SP Ikenga stated. The suspect is currently in custody and is assisting authorities in locating other gang members.

In a separate operation, officers from the Special Anti-Cultism Squad (SPACS) acted on credible intelligence and raided a criminal hideout in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, early on Wednesday. They arrested a man identified as Nelson Wisdom from Etsako East in Edo State and recovered a locally fabricated pistol along with two live rounds of ammunition.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, reaffirmed the commitment of the police and other security agencies to continue acting on intelligence to disrupt criminal activities in the state. He added that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.