The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended five individuals suspected of posing as private security personnel. A pump-action rifle was recovered during the operation carried out in Awka.
The State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, disclosed this on Wednesday while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Awka.
Olatunde explained that the arrests followed credible intelligence reports about people wearing uniforms similar to those of genuine security agencies. The suspects were reportedly hired by certain political figures to cause unrest ahead of the November 8 governorship election.
“In an effort to rid Anambra of impersonators operating as private security agents, the command conducted coordinated raids across hotels and shopping areas in Awka around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Five suspects were arrested, and a pump-action rifle was recovered,” Olatunde stated.
The suspects were identified as Mmeka Ekene (43), Peter Detuchi Kelvin (28), Sunday Akpan Idiong (45), Enemuo Ifeanyichukwu (26), and Francis Ugochukwu Nwosu (28).
According to Olatunde, the operation was executed by the Private Guard Companies Department to eliminate criminal elements, prevent illegal possession of firearms, and maintain peace ahead of the election.
He reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to ensuring a secure environment for the upcoming poll.
“We remain focused on providing safety throughout the election period. The Corps will not tolerate individuals pretending to be security operatives with the intention of disrupting public order,” he said.
Olatunde added that the Corps had intensified surveillance and improved intelligence gathering to stop any attempts by political actors or criminal groups to compromise the electoral process.
He confirmed that the arrested suspects are currently being interrogated and will face prosecution upon completion of investigations.
In a related incident in 2020, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit arrested two men—Monday Job and Rasak Oloyede—for impersonating law enforcement officers to commit crimes on restricted routes in Lagos.
