The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 42-year-old Friday Emenike, also known as Ekpo, for allegedly renting firearms to criminals involved in illegal activities within Awka and its surrounding areas.
According to a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, Emenike, who hails from Izzi Local Government Area in Ebonyi State, was apprehended after police operatives acted on intelligence linking him to firearm rentals.
Ikenga revealed that the investigation began following a raid on December 7, 2024, at a black spot in Umunaga Village, Awka South Local Government Area. During the operation, officers from the Anti-Cultism Squad arrested two suspects, 27-year-old Okechukwu Chinwuko and 22-year-old Ezenwa Chinedu. The raid also resulted in the recovery of a pump-action gun, three live cartridges, a cutlass, criminal charms, and substances suspected to be hard drugs. Additionally, two female victims reportedly abused by the suspects were rescued.
During interrogation, the arrested suspects disclosed that they rented firearms from Emenike, prompting the police to launch a follow-up operation that led to his arrest.
Ikenga stated, “Police operatives from the Anambra State Police Command have arrested one Friday Emenike, Alias Ekpo, 42, who allegedly lends firearms to criminals for their illegal operations, especially within Awka and its environs.”
The case will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.