Anambra Police Neutralise Six Armed Group Members, Recover Guns In Ogbaru

Anambra State Police Command has neutralised six suspected members of an armed group during a joint security operation in Amiyi, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

The command said the operation was carried out in the early hours of Saturday, August 22, 2026, as part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks and violent non-state actors across the state.

The operation was conducted by a joint team comprising personnel of the Nigeria Police Force’s Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu; Department of State Services; 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha; Nigerian Navy personnel from Ogbaru; and Agunachamba operatives from the community.

Acting on credible intelligence, the team trekked for about four hours through difficult terrain and dense palm forest before reaching a camp suspected to be occupied by an armed criminal group.

According to the command, the suspects opened fire after sighting the security personnel, resulting in a prolonged exchange of gunfire.

At the end of the encounter, six suspected members of the group were neutralised, while others fled, with some reportedly sustaining gunshot injuries.

Read Also: Anambra Police Confirm Release Of Abducted Chief, Rev. Sister

The operatives recovered two pump-action guns and charms from the camp, while structures believed to be associated with the group were subsequently dismantled.

The operation, however, resulted in the death of one security operative after an explosive device suspected to have been planted in the area detonated. Another operative was injured and is receiving medical treatment in a hospital.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the personnel and community-based operatives involved in the operation.

The CP described the operation as “a further demonstration of the importance of intelligence sharing, inter-agency cooperation and community support” in confronting violent criminal elements and disrupting their operational bases.

He commiserated with the family, colleagues and associates of the fallen security operative and wished the injured operative “a speedy and full recovery.”

Ama assured residents that the command, working with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, would sustain intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal camps, recover illegal arms and prevent violent groups from establishing operational footholds in Anambra.

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remained critical to sustaining peace and security in the state.

“Community cooperation remains critical to sustaining the peace and security of the State,” the command said.