By John Ogunsemore
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a suspected firearms repairer, Onah Uchenna, in connection with a case of armed robbery and cultism.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Daniel Ndukwe disclosed this in a Saturday statement.
According to the statement, the 36-year-old was one of seven male suspects nabbed during multiple operations guided by credible information and intelligence conducted in June 2025.
The police spokesman said operatives recovered seven firearms, one expended and two live cartridges, as well as other incriminating exhibits.
Ndukwe said, “On June 21, 2025, at about midday, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad stormed 9th Mile and arrested one Yusuf John (male, aged 25).
“A cut-to-size double-barrelled gun with one expended cartridge was recovered from him.
“His arrest followed the confessional statements of three earlier-arrested suspects, namely: Ebube Victor, aged 22; Kenechukwu Chiegwu, aged 23; and Tochukwu Kingsley Nwodo, aged 26.
“They all confessed to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity and admitted to using the firearm in the commission of various crimes.
“Similarly, on June 17, 2025, the same operatives arrested one Ugwualor Obumneke (male, aged 22), following the confessional statement of Onah Uchenna (male, aged 36), who had earlier been arrested in connection with a case of armed robbery and cultism.
“Further investigation led to the recovery of a locally made Beretta-like pistol, two double-barrel and one single-barrel pistols, the chamber of an English-made double-barrel gun, and a set of tools used for firearm repairs.
“The suspects confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity and admitted to using the firearms for criminal activities.
“Onah Uchenna further confessed to owning the repair tools and to specialising in the maintenance of firearms.”
The PPRO further disclosed that a 39-year-old male suspect, Iloh Chukwunonso was apprehended and a locally-fabricated Beretta-like pistol was recovered from him
during another operation conducted between June 15 and 20, 2025.
He said a combined team of operatives from the SWAT and Octopus Tactical Squads carried out multiple intelligence-driven raids on identified black spots in Nkanu West and Enugu North Local Government Areas during the period.
He said, “Additionally, a cut-to-size gun and two live cartridges, abandoned by fleeing suspects, were also recovered.
“All suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.”
Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa commended the efforts of the operatives and urged them to remain resolute in the fight against crime, ensuring that Enugu State becomes increasingly uninhabitable for criminal elements.
He reiterated the command’s unwavering resolve to combat crime and criminality across the state and encouraged residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and supportive by providing credible information and intelligence to the police.