The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who made this known in a statement on Saturday, said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad attached to Akwuzu arrested Godwin on Friday at Nkpor, near Onitsha.
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 65-year-old man identified as Akpan Godwin, found with over 1000 rounds of live ammunition in the commercial city of Onitsha.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who made this known in a statement on Saturday, said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad attached to Akwuzu arrested Godwin on Friday at Nkpor, near Onitsha.
“Police operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested one Akpan Godwin ‘m’, aged 65 years, in possession of 1,100 rounds of live ammunition,” Ikenga stated.
The police spokesperson said that during interrogation, Godwin confessed to being involved in the illegal sale of ammunition and also mentioned other individuals linked to the illicit trade.
The police said investigations are ongoing to track down his collaborators and dismantle the wider network supplying arms in the state.
“Meanwhile, the operatives have stepped up the investigation and manhunt to uncover and apprehend all accomplices,” Ikenga added.
The arrest highlights persistent security concerns in Anambra, where the proliferation of firearms and ammunition has been linked to violent crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, cult clashes, and attacks by non-state actors.
In recent months, the Anambra State Police Command has announced the arrest of several criminal elements in the state including busting some criminal syndicates involved in arms smuggling and illegal possession of weapons.
Earlier in August, four suspects were reportedly arrested in separate operations in Onitsha and Obosi.
On Friday, the command announced the recovery of vandalised high-tension cables, transformer parts, and locally-made weapons, arresting four suspects while one suspect was confirmed dead from gunshot injury while attempting to escape from the police.
In July 2025, police operatives also reportedly intercepted a syndicate in Ihiala suspected of supplying firearms to violent gangs across the South-East.
Items recovered in the operation included rifles, cartridges, and explosives, underscoring the scale of the illicit trade.
Security analysts say the trade in small arms and ammunition poses a grave threat to the region’s stability.
According to them, black market networks have thrived by exploiting porous borders, weak community policing, and high demand from criminal gangs.
The Anambra State Police Command has assured residents of its commitment to curbing crime through intelligence-led operations, but urged citizens to remain vigilant.
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