A lone armed man, who was lurking around a popular hotel in Awka (name withheld), has been arrested by police operatives in Anambra.

It is speculated that the man may have trailed a guest to the hotel, hoping to strike once the guest is leaving. He is suspected to be a cultist, who was monitoring a member of a rival cult, with the aim of eliminating him.

The spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said the man was seen lurking around the premises of the hotel, suspiciously when operatives who were on surveillance decided to accost him.

Ikenga said surveillance operatives observed the man prowling around the premises and decided to conduct a search on him.

“One English-made pistol and three rounds of live ammunition were recovered from him.

“The suspect gave his name as Akuchieani Echezona, a resident of Ifite Awka. He was quickly disarmed, arrested and taken into custody.”

Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, has ordered State CID Awka to take over the case and investigate the source of the weapon as well as the gunman’s intention for going to a hotel armed.

He said the suspect will be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigations.