Police raid secessionist hideout, arrest 65-year-old suspect, six others in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has conducted raids on criminal hideouts across the state, leading to the arrest of seven suspects. Among those apprehended is a 65-year-old man identified as Ifeanyi Ogbuagbo, who is allegedly linked to a secessionist gang. The operation, carried out by the Violent Crime Response Unit, aligns with directives from the Inspector-General of Police.

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The Anambra State Police Command has continued its sustained security operations and raid of criminal hideouts across the State, in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu and the Command’s intensified operational strategy against violent crimes, cultism and illicit drug activities.

During a search of Ogbuagbo's residence in Umudioka, police recovered an army uniform and expended ammunition shells concealed in a black polythene bag. Preliminary information suggests the suspect's involvement with a group advocating for self-government. Ogbuagbo is currently in custody as investigations continue to determine the full circumstances surrounding the recovered items and his alleged activities.

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Acting on credible intelligence in the evening of August 13, 2026, Operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested a 65-year-old male, Ifeanyi Ogbuagbo, in Umudioka.

In a separate operation on the same day, operatives raided a suspected criminal hideout in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area. This raid resulted in the arrest of six other individuals: Chisom Okafor (25, female), Onyedika Moses (36, male), Iruka Nwaonu (30, male), Joseph Nwankwo (36, male), Chukwujekwu Nwoso (32, male), and Akanimo Orok (40, male). A significant quantity of dried weeds, suspected to be cannabis, along with other substances believed to be illicit drugs, were recovered from this location.

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Preliminary information reveals that the suspect is linked to a criminal gang agitating for self-government.

The police command emphasized its ongoing commitment to sustained security operations against violent crimes, cultism, and illicit drug activities in the state. The operations are part of an intensified strategy to maintain law and order.

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The operation resulted in the arrest of six suspects identified as: Chisom Okafor, female, 25 years; Onyedika Moses, male, 36 years; Iruka Nwaonu, male, 30 years; Joseph Nwankwo, male, 36 years; Chukwujekwu Nwoso, male, 32 years; and Akanimo Orok, male, 40 years.