By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Homeland Security outfit, Agunechemba, has handed over two military-grade General Purpose (GP) rifles and a locally manufactured rocket launcher recovered during operations against armed criminals to the Nigerian Army, in what could be described as another major milestone in the state’s ongoing war against insecurity and activities of gunmen.
The development was disclosed in a press statement issued on Sunday by the Media and Publicity Secretary of Agunechemba, Comrade Nweke Nweke.
According to the statement, the weapons were formally transferred to the Nigerian Army on August 1 during a ceremony held at the office of the Director of Operations of Agunechemba in Awka.
The event, he disclosed, was led by the Director of Operations, Chief Chinenye Ihenko, popularly known as Ọkpọmpi, and was witnessed by the Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme; the Acting Director of the State Anti-Touting Squad, Chief Monday Nwokoye; the Managing Director of the Ocha Brigade, Mr. Celestine Anere; and other senior officials of the security outfit.
Speaking during the event, the Agunechemba leadership described the transfer of the weapons as a further demonstration of the strong partnership existing between the state-backed security outfit and federal security agencies operating within Anambra State.
The organisation also reiterated its determination to sustain collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening security and denying criminal elements any safe haven within the state.
Representing the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Homeland Security, Mr. Ken Emeakayi, Chief Ihenko described the recovery of the weapons as one of the most remarkable achievements recorded by the security outfit since its establishment.
He noted that the operatives successfully carried out the operation without recording any casualties, despite fierce resistance from the gunmen, who eventually abandoned the weapons and fled with varying degrees of injuries.
Chief Ihenko also expressed appreciation to Governor Soludo for his full support and commitment to strengthening security operations across the state, adding that such support had significantly boosted the morale and operational effectiveness of the outfit.
He further stated that the intervention had enabled security operatives to reclaim territories that had previously been under the influence of criminal elements in parts of Orumba North, Orumba South, Ihiala, Ogbaru and some other local government areas across the state.
The Agunechemba official also called on residents of the state to continue supporting the security outfit through cooperation, information sharing and prayers, stressing that security remains a collective responsibility.
Also speaking, the Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, who doubles as the head of Agunechemba’s investigation unit, commended the state government for providing the resources required to sustain homeland security operations.
He also observed that the enactment of the Anambra Homeland Security Law in 2025 had continued to yield positive results, as reflected in the numerous successes already recorded by the security outfit.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant P. O. Idowu, who represented the Commander of the 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Colonel Buteus M. Yakubu, commended the Anambra State Government for its commitment to security and praised the level of cooperation among Agunechemba, the Nigerian Army and the Anambra State Police Command.
He assured the security outfit of the military’s continued support in the fight against criminality and in efforts aimed at preserving peace and security across the state.
The official handover of the recovered weapons to the Nigerian Army and an exchange of goodwill messages among representatives of the various security agencies and government officials in attendance formed the highpoints of the event.
More photos from the event:
