BY SUNNY A. DAVID
A coordinated raid by joint security forces in Ufuma, Anambra State, has crippled a major criminal operation, as five suspected criminals were killed, their camp destroyed, and a cache of arms recovered during the operation, which involved police, military, and other security agencies, on January 14, 2025.
The raid on their camp by 12.30 pm in Umuogem, Ufuma, Orumba North Local Government Area of the State, yielded a significant arms haul, including four unexploded IEDs, two AK-47 rifles, and a pump-action gun.
The Spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga revealed this in a press release he made available to our correspondent in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
While some suspects escaped with injuries, SP Ikenga stated that operations continue to apprehend fleeing gang members and urged continued public cooperation.
He said: “The team successfully carried out an offensive operation against a suspected armed secessionist gang in Umugem road, Ufuma, Orumba North Local Government Area.
“The team neutralized five members of the armed group, while some others escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds.
“During the operation, the security team razed down the criminal camp and recovered four undetonated improvised explosive devices (IED), two AK47 assault rifles, one pump action gun, and one 75-volt battery with other incriminating items.”
Ikenga attributed the success of the operations to the collaboration and coordination among the various security agencies, adding that operations was still ongoing in the area to arrest fleeing gang members.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam as calling for greater cooperation of the people in the area to ensure that criminal gangs are wiped out.
The Police Commissioner commended the collaboration and urged residents to continue assisting the security forces.