The Abia State Police Command has apprehended three suspects over alleged involvement in conspiracy, gunrunning, unlawful possession of firearms, and attempted murder, resulting in the recovery of several firearms and live cartridges.
The arrest was disclosed in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen C. Chinaka, on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
The suspects — Kalu Ugwa Ogbonnaya (54), Agu Ugochukwu (39), and Ukandu Leach (43) — were nabbed in separate operations carried out in Umuahia and Aba.
According to the police, detectives from the Central Police Station, Umuahia, acting on credible intelligence, arrested Ogbonnaya on October 17, 2025, in connection with a suspicious cargo consignment identified by Waybill No: HN-INT-7320Do-FDY-U.
Upon searching the consignment, officers discovered 26 live cartridges, a pump-action gun (Breech No: MY1183234), a Mossberg 930 pump-action rifle (Breech No: AFO44698), and 50 additional rounds of ammunition, allegedly fabricated by Ogbonnaya.
During interrogation, Ogbonnaya confessed that the shipment was intended for Agu Ugochukwu, who has also been arrested. He further revealed that Ugochukwu was acting on behalf of another individual currently residing in the United States.
Both Ogbonnaya and Ugochukwu are now in custody as investigations continue at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Umuahia.
In a related development, operatives of the Scorpion Squad in Aba, on October 23, 2025, arrested Ukandu Leach (43) following a distress call. Leach, who identified himself as a vigilante member, allegedly shot one Chukwu Emeka (39) in the right leg.
The victim was quickly taken for medical treatment, while a locally made double-barrelled gun was recovered from the suspect.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, lauded the officers for their swift response and reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding public safety.
