In a surprising turn of events, the Anambra State Police Command has recovered an abandoned AK-47 rifle hidden on the rooftop of a residential building under renovation in Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area.

According to the police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the operation was carried out on Friday, July 11, 2025, at about 12:30 p.m., after the police acted on credible information from vigilant residents in Ihuowele Ngo Village.

“The recovery was made possible through timely information shared by concerned members of the community,” Ikenga stated.

Initial investigations have pointed to a man identified only as Samson, a known figure in the area and a former occupantof the apartment. Samson is believed to have links to the weapon, but he has not been seen since June 2024. The police have launched a manhunt to track him down.

This is not the first time the area has seen such alarming discoveries. Just two days earlier, the Police-led Joint Task Force (JTF) recovered another AK-47 rifle believed to have been used in a gunfight with suspected gunmen near the Oko-Ekwulobia flyover, also in Aguata LGA.

Reacting to the recent recovery, Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, praised the efforts of the community members, emphasizing that the success of security operations heavily depends on strong community-police collaboration.

“We encourage the public to keep supporting us with timely and useful information. Together, we can make our communities safer,” the Commissioner said.

This incident serves as a reminder of the crucial role everyday citizens play in ensuring public safety. If you see something suspicious, say something — it just might prevent the next crisis.