Four suspected kidnappers have been arrested in separate operations at various locations across Anambra state, recovering a locally fabricated pistol, live ammunition, an axe and other items believed to be linked to their criminal activities.
The command said the arrests followed sustained intelligence-led operations by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, as part of efforts to tackle violent crimes in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Awka.
Ikenga said one of the suspects, identified as Okoye Ibegbunam Chukwuebuka John Bosco, alias “Bone,” 32, was arrested on July 15 in connection with the investigation into the kidnapping of a victim at Okpanam in Asaba, Delta State.
He said the victim was allegedly abducted, robbed and forced to pay ransom before regaining freedom.
According to the police spokesman, a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol, two live rounds of ammunition, an axe and an Itel Android phone bearing the victim’s photograph as its screensaver.
“The suspect allegedly confessed to his involvement in the crime, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang still at large,” Ikenga said.
In a related development, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, in collaboration with detectives from the Ogbaru Divisional Police Headquarters, foiled an attempted kidnap in Ogbaru on July 16.
The police arrested three suspects identified as Chekwube Chukwu, 32; Amarachukwu Nwobosi, 34; and Sopuluchukwu Ifeakor, 30.
A black Toyota Camry with tinted windows and Lagos registration number LND 789HR, believed to have been used by the suspects, was also recovered.
Ikenga said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were intercepted while allegedly attempting to abduct a female Point of Sale operator at Iyiowa, Odekpe, Atani.
He explained that the victim’s cries for help attracted residents, who alerted the police, leading to a swift response that foiled the abduction and resulted in the suspects’ arrest.
The police further linked the suspects to the earlier abduction of another female POS operator at Dominion Park, Head Bridge, Onitsha, on June 3, 2026.
According to the command, the victim was dispossessed of two POS machines and Android phones before she was allegedly forced to pay a ransom of N3.5 million to secure her release.
Ikenga added that the suspects had allegedly confessed to the crimes and were assisting investigators with information to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate, including suspected receivers of stolen items.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing security operations across the state.
