AWKA, NIGERIA — The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old man, identified as Chinedu Simon, over alleged involvement in armed robbery and unlawful possession of a large quantity of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area.
The arrest was carried out by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, during a targeted raid in the early hours of November 5, 2026. The police disclosed the development on Saturday, November 14, through a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Tochukwu Ikenga.
According to the police, the operation followed intelligence gathering on suspected criminal activities allegedly connected to the suspect and his residence. Officers reportedly moved in on the location as part of efforts to identify individuals suspected of participating in criminal operations within the area.
Ikenga said the suspect was arrested over allegations of armed robbery and possession of a substantial quantity of substances believed to be cannabis. The recovered material is being treated as suspected Cannabis Sativa pending the appropriate investigative and verification procedures.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that preliminary interrogation indicated that Simon allegedly admitted involvement in the illicit drug trade. However, the command did not provide further details about the alleged drug transactions, including the source of the substances, their intended destinations or the period over which the suspected activities had been taking place.
Intelligence gathered by investigators also reportedly suggested that suspected criminal elements regularly converged at the suspect’s residence before embarking on criminal activities.
The police said the information was part of the circumstances being examined as investigators work to establish whether the suspect operated alone or maintained connections with other individuals involved in criminal activities.
Simon remains in police custody while investigations continue. The command said its immediate priorities include determining the full extent of his alleged involvement, identifying possible accomplices and establishing whether the activities under investigation are connected to wider criminal networks operating in the state.
The arrest forms part of the Anambra Police Command’s continuing efforts to tackle armed robbery, drug-related offences and other security threats through intelligence-led operations and targeted raids.
Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, reiterated the command’s commitment to proactive policing and sustained operations aimed at identifying, disrupting and dismantling criminal networks across Anambra State.
He also appealed to residents to provide credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in preventing crime and identifying suspected offenders. The commissioner assured members of the public that information supplied to the police would be handled professionally and with the necessary confidentiality.
The development comes amid continuing security concerns in parts of Anambra, where police operations have increasingly focused on suspected armed robbery groups, illicit drug distribution and other criminal activities.
Authorities have repeatedly emphasised the importance of community cooperation in gathering intelligence, particularly where suspected criminal activities may involve multiple individuals or locations.
The latest arrest also highlights the importance of establishing the connections, if any, between suspected drug trafficking and other offences under investigation. Police have not yet disclosed whether weapons, stolen property, vehicles or other materials connected to the alleged robbery activities were recovered during the operation.
It also remains unclear whether additional suspects have been identified or whether the recovered substances have undergone laboratory examination.
For now, the police say investigations are ongoing, with the suspect remaining in custody as officers work to establish the facts surrounding the allegations. His arrest does not amount to a conviction, and the allegations will ultimately be determined through the appropriate legal process.
The command has urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing useful information to security agencies as it intensifies efforts to improve public safety across the state.
