Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Police operatives in Anambra State have arrested one individual for allegedly attempting to turn the annual Imo Awka festival into an avenue for criminal activities.
The arrest led to the recovery of a locally made Beretta pistol, one live round of ammunition, and other incriminating items.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who disclosed this in a statement, said the police acted on intelligence gathered over time regarding how miscreants, under the guise of celebrating the Imo Awka festival, engage in criminal acts.
According to Ikenga, the criminals have become unruly, and make life unbearable for the law-abiding residents and indigenes of Awka.
He said in response, the police intensified raids and conducted discreet operations at identified black spots in Awka and its surrounding areas.
The statement noted that the raids were aimed at ensuring a crime-free celebration of the festival.
It further revealed that police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awka sector, arrested one Nasiru Samaila, aged 25, in the late hours of Monday.
In addition to the arrest, the police said it recovered one locally made Beretta pistol, one live round of ammunition, a knife, and a large quantity of substances suspected to be hard drugs.
Police added that the suspect, in an attempt to escape, began shooting indiscriminately. However, he was subdued by the police team, who shot him in the right leg.
It said one of the police operatives sustained a gunshot wound during the encounter and has been taken to the hospital, where he is currently responding to treatment.
