The Anambra State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its ongoing war against violent crimes, with the arrest of four suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate.
The suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Monday, September 1, 2025, by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, during a well-coordinated operation in Amansea, Awka North Local Government Area.
According to police authorities, the raid followed credible intelligence on a recent kidnapping case in which victims were freed only after their families paid a ransom of ₦5 million.
Items recovered during the operation include two pump-action rifles and nine live cartridges, a discovery that police say underscores the deadly intent of the criminal gang.
The arrested suspects have been identified as 31-year-old Chigozie Igboekwu, 23-year-old Odumegwu Chibuike, 40-year-old Jonah Awudu, and 33-year-old Okechukwu Nwari.
Police investigations revealed that the suspects had, on August 12, 2025, conspired to abduct two residents of Amansea around 7:00 p.m., holding them captive for two days in a bush at Ugwuoba, Enugu State.
The gang reportedly subjected their victims to harsh conditions until their families succumbed to the ransom demand. Once the money was paid, the captives were released.
Sources within the command said the suspects, during interrogation, gave a voluntary confession, detailing their roles in the operation and how the ransom was shared among them.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Ikioye Orutugu, praised the operatives for their swift action, resilience, and tactical precision in apprehending the suspects without further harm to residents.
He reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on crime and assured the people of Anambra that the police will continue to flush out criminal gangs wherever they attempt to operate.
“We want Ndi Anambra to go about their daily activities without fear. The command is working tirelessly to ensure that no hiding place is left for criminals,” CP Orutugu declared.
The police further disclosed that while four suspects are in custody, investigations are ongoing to track down other members of the gang who are currently at large.
The command assured the public that all arrested suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded, in line with the law.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide useful information that could help security agencies dismantle criminal networks in the state.
With this latest development, security experts believe the successful operation will serve as a deterrent to other gangs operating within the Anambra-Enugu axis, where kidnapping has been on the rise in recent months.
