Security agencies in Enugu State have arrested six suspected criminals linked to a series of security incidents, including the killing of police officers, state authorities said on Friday.
The arrests led to the recovery of a large cache of weapons and ammunition, which Governor Peter Mbah inspected at the Enugu State headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the governor, the suspects had been on the state's security watch list and were connected to several criminal activities across Enugu.
Items recovered during the operation include 17 AK-47 rifles, one general-purpose machine gun (GPMG), one rocket-propelled rifle, one tear-gas gun, 12 AK-47 magazines, two hand grenades, three tear-gas canisters and 1,071 rounds of ammunition. The ammunition comprises 323 special rounds, 270 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 478 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Mbah was received at the DSS headquarters by Humphery Ohikhuare, the state's DSS director; Mamman Giwa, commissioner of police; Garba Suru, garrison commander of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army; and other senior security officials.
The governor said the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to track down those responsible for attacks on security personnel in the state.
He recalled an incident in December 2025 in which several officers lost their lives, prompting the state government to place bounties on suspects linked to the attack.
Mbah said some suspects had already been apprehended, while the six arrested recently were among those who had remained at large.
He described the arrests as evidence of progress in the state's security strategy, citing the deployment of technology and intelligence-led operations to identify and dismantle criminal networks.
The governor also warned individuals involved in criminal activities that the state would continue pursuing offenders and ensuring they face prosecution.
He urged landlords to carry out proper screening of prospective tenants, adding that the government would continue taking action against property owners whose premises are used for violent crimes.
Mbah further commended President Bola Tinubu's support for security sector reforms, including efforts to strengthen security training institutions across the country. He said funding had been released for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of training facilities to improve and standardise security personnel training nationwide.
