The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, has arrested five suspected illegal private security operatives and recovered a pump-action rifle during a series of coordinated raids in Awka.

The State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, disclosed this on Wednesday while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Awka.

Olatunde said the operation, conducted across several hotels and grocery stores in Awka on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, around 11 am, followed credible intelligence reports.

He explained that the intelligence indicated the presence of individuals wearing uniforms resembling those of legitimate security outfits, allegedly hired by political actors to cause unrest ahead of the November 8 governorship election.

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He said, “In a bid to rid Anambra State of individuals masquerading as private security operatives, the NSCDC, Anambra State Command, has apprehended five suspected illegal private security operatives and recovered a pump action rifle during a series of raids conducted in Awka.

“The raids conducted across various hotels and grocery stores in Awka on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at about 11:00hrs, were based on credible intelligence indicating the presence of individuals dressed in attire resembling that of a security outfit, who may have been hired by political actors with the intention of utilising them to cause chaos during the election.”

He listed the suspects as Mmeka Ekene (43), Peter Detuchi Kelvin (28), Sunday Akpan Idiong (45), Enemuo Ifeanyichukwu (26), and Francis Ugochukwu Nwosu (28).

Olatunde explained that the operation, which was carried out by the Private Guard Companies Department, was aimed at flushing out undesirable elements, criminal gangs, and irredentists, as well as preventing emerging security threats, illegal possession of firearms, and any form of violence or intimidation that could undermine the peaceful conduct of the election.

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He continued, “We are resolute in our commitment to providing a secure environment for the conduct of the forthcoming governorship election, slated for November 8, 2025. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Anambra State remains peaceful and secure.”

The Commandant further stressed that the NSCDC would not be swayed by the antics of individuals pretending to be private security operatives in a bid to disrupt the electoral process.

“The Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, will take all necessary measures within its operational guidelines to counter and suppress any act that could potentially destabilise the peace enjoyed in the state,” he said.

Olatunde also revealed that the Command had strengthened surveillance and enhanced intelligence gathering to thwart any attempts by “disruptive elements or desperate politicians” to compromise the electoral process.

He stated, “The arrested suspects are currently being interrogated and will be charged in court upon conclusion of the investigation,” The PUNCH quoted him.

The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a newborn following the arrest of four suspects in connection with child trafficking in Ifite-Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, revealed this in a statement in Awka, the state capital, on Tuesday.

Ikenga stated that police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, acting on credible intelligence, arrested the suspects in the early hours of Tuesday.

He further noted that during the raid, the operatives rescued the one-week-old baby girl and arrested the four female suspects in connection with a case of conspiracy and child trafficking.

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The statement read in part, “The Anambra State Police Command, through its operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, in the early hours of Tuesday, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a location identified as Mama Maternity situated at Ifite-Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area.

“During the raid, the operatives rescued a one-week-old baby girl and arrested four female suspects in connection with a case of conspiracy and child trafficking.

“The arrested suspects include: Elizabeth Okafor, 62 years; Esther Nweke, 48 years; Ngozi Maanfa, 45 years; and Peace Elijah Moses, 25 years, respectively.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects conspired among themselves and allegedly purchased a newborn baby girl, barely a week old, for the sum of N1.7m.

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“They had reportedly paid an advance sum of N350m to the purported biological mother of the child, identified as Peace Elijah Moses, who is among the arrested persons.”

According to him, the baby girl has been safely rescued and is currently under protective care, while the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the Case to the State Criminal Investigation Department Gender Unit, Awka, for discreet investigation and necessary prosecution.

“The CP also reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of children and the ongoing fight against all forms of human trafficking in the State,” he added.

The PUNCH had in July 2025 reported that the Anambra State Police Command investigated and busted an interstate child stealing/abduction and trafficking syndicate operating in Uruagu, Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.

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The command stated that during the operation carried out by police operatives attached to the Anambra State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, in collaboration with Adamawa police operatives, on July 15, one suspect was arrested, while 11 children — comprising five boys and six girls — were rescued.

Ikenga, who disclosed the development to journalists, said the investigation revealed that the children were abducted/stolen and transported from Adamawa State.

Ikenga added that the children were illegally given to unsuspecting members of the public seeking adoption for N1.5m for the boys and N800,000 only for the girls, respectively.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the permanent forfeiture of $49,700 allegedly recovered from Dr Nura Ali, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Sokoto State, during the 2023 general elections.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, moved a motion seeking the final forfeiture of the money.

Akponimisingha informed the court that the ICPC had complied with its earlier order directing temporary forfeiture of the funds and that a public notice had been issued inviting any interested parties to show cause why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

He noted, however, that no objections or representations had been received since the publication.

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“We therefore seek an order permanently forfeiting the sum of $49,700 to the Federal Government, in view of the compliance with the interim order and the absence of any opposition,” Akponimisingha said.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the application had merit.

“I have listened to the submission of learned counsel for the applicant and carefully examined the supporting affidavit. I am satisfied that the application is meritorious. Consequently, it is hereby granted,” the judge ruled.

The trial judge had, on December 30, 2024, granted an interim forfeiture order following an ex parte motion jointly filed by the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS). The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024, sought temporary forfeiture of the recovered sum pending the outcome of further investigations.

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The application, signed by Mr Usman Dauda, Director of Legal Services for the DSS, and filed by Akponimisingha on behalf of the ICPC, stated that the money was found during a search conducted by DSS operatives at Dr Ali’s residence in Kano.

According to the supporting affidavit deposed to by Iliya Markus, a litigation officer with the ICPC, intelligence reports alleged that Dr Ali received bribes from political stakeholders while serving as INEC REC in Sokoto State.

Markus stated that during the search, $49,700 was recovered, and Dr Ali, in his statement, claimed that the money was a gift from former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and Senator Aliyu Wamakko. He also noted that Ali later wrote to the DSS requesting the release of the seized funds.

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The ICPC maintained that INEC does not pay its staff in US dollars, and that the recovered money was suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

Following the interim order, the court had directed the publication of a notice in a national newspaper inviting interested parties to show cause why the funds should not be forfeited.

After confirming compliance and noting that no objections were received, the court granted the ICPC’s request for the final forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government.