Security Forces Kill Four Suspected Gunmen, Recover GPMG, IEDs In Anambra

A police-led joint security patrol team has neutralised four suspected members of an armed gang during an operation along the Ogboji–Ajalli Road in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The operation, which took place on the evening of June 23, followed intelligence reports on the movement of heavily armed suspects believed to be operating in the area.

According to the Anambra State Police Command, the suspects engaged security operatives in a gun battle during a visibility and confidence-building patrol, resulting in the deaths of four gang members.

Security operatives recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition, explosives and other items from the suspects.

Recovered exhibits include one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) loaded with 53 rounds of linked live ammunition, two AK-47 rifles, two magazines, 29 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 13 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and four undetonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

The joint security team also recovered police camouflage uniforms and accessories, a white Toyota Sienna bus with Lagos registration number KJA 919 KH, 10 Android phones, two feature phones, a laptop computer, a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, two power banks, assorted charms, ATM cards, a National Identification Card and a driver’s licence.

Police said preliminary investigations indicate that other members of the gang escaped into nearby bushes with gunshot wounds.

The command disclosed that security personnel have intensified search and combing operations across the area to track down the fleeing suspects and recover additional weapons and operational equipment.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the command said the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence gathered over time concerning the activities of the suspected armed group.

The police reiterated their commitment, alongside other security agencies, to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating criminal activities and ensuring the safety of residents across Anambra State.

Authorities said efforts are ongoing to dismantle criminal networks operating within the state and prevent further threats to public security.