By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State Homeland Security outfit, Agunechemba, has handed over two military-grade General Purpose (GP) rifles and a locally manufactured rocket launcher to the Nigerian Army.

The weapons were recovered during operations against armed criminals in the state.

Disclosing this in a press release by the Media and Publicity Secretary of Agunechemba, Comrade Nweke Nweke on Sunday, he explained that 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.

According to him, the event was led by the Director of Operations, Chief Chinenye Ihenko, popularly known as Okpompi, 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.

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.

In his speech, Chief Imenko who represented the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Homeland Security, Ken Emeakayi, 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.

Ihenko expressed appreciation to the Governor for his full support and commitment to strengthening security operations across the state.

While noting that the Governor’s support had significantly boosted the morale and operational effectiveness of the outfit, he added: “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.

“Residents of the state are encouraged to continue supporting the security outfit through cooperation, information sharing and prayers. Security remains a collective responsibility.”

On his part, the Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, who doubles as the head of Agunechemba’s investigation unit, hailed the state government for providing the resources required to sustain homeland security operations.

He 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 Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s 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.