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

According to Olatunde, the operation was conducted across several hotels and grocery stores in Awka following credible intelligence reports.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

Source: Punch