The Anambra State Police Command has recorded significant breakthroughs in its ongoing security operations, leading to the arrest of five suspects linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms. The operations, carried out under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, have further exposed criminal elements in the state.
In the early hours of February 22, 2025, operatives of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad stormed a criminal hideout in Igbariam, where they apprehended three suspects identified as Miracle Chukwunoso, Chinweze Charles, and Bonaventure Chigozie, all aged between 20 and 26 years. A locally fabricated Beretta pistol was recovered from them. Victims of their criminal activities positively identified the suspects, revealing that they had been attacked and dispossessed of their belongings. The investigation further uncovered that the sum of two hundred and fifty-four thousand naira was withdrawn from a victim’s account on February 21 along Otoko, Igbariam.
In a separate operation, police operatives from the 3-3 Divisional Headquarters responded to a kidnap incident on February 16, 2025, around 2 p.m. at Ejison Fuel Station along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. The swift intervention led to the rescue of the victim, and in a follow-up operation, two suspects were arrested. Their identities are being withheld to facilitate the arrest of other gang members. A suspected stolen ash-colored Toyota Corolla belonging to the victim was recovered at a mechanic workshop in the 3-3 area.
The victim reported that his captors forcefully withdrew over one million naira from his account while in captivity and seized two mobile phones valued at eight hundred and twenty thousand naira.
The Anambra State Police Command has assured that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed the arrests and reiterated the police’s commitment to ensuring the safety of residents in the state.