In a decisive move to clamp down on armed criminality, the Anambra State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a proscribed secessionist group in Ihiala. The operation, which took place in the early hours of 20th November 2025, highlights the Command’s ongoing commitment to ensuring peace across the state.
The suspect, identified as Friday Nnamdi Anyikame, a 25-year-old male, was apprehended following a carefully planned intelligence-led operation conducted by the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu.
Police sources confirmed that during the raid, operatives recovered two pump-action firearms and 29 live cartridges, which the suspect reportedly used in criminal operations within the state.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, the suspect admitted to being an active member of a proscribed armed group. His confession shed light on a criminal network operating from a camp in Ogbaru Local Government Area.
The arrest comes amid heightened security concerns in Anambra, as law enforcement agencies continue to confront the challenges posed by secessionist and criminal elements in various communities.
Speaking on the operation, Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, PhD, fwc mnips, praised the Rapid Response Squad for their swift and coordinated efforts that led to the suspect’s arrest and recovery of weapons.
CP Orutugu also emphasized the importance of intelligence-led policing, noting that actionable tips from residents often play a critical role in dismantling armed groups operating in the state.
In line with the arrest, the Police Commissioner has ordered intensified surveillance and targeted raid operations across Anambra State to prevent the regrouping of fleeing gang members.
“Our operatives are leaving no stone unturned in tracking down these criminals,” CP Orutugu stated. “We are determined to dismantle their network and ensure the safety of our people.”
The suspect’s revelation about the criminal camp in Ogbaru LGA has prompted a focused follow-up operation, aimed at locating and apprehending other members of the gang.
Residents of Ihiala and surrounding areas have been urged to remain vigilant, provide timely information to the police, and avoid aiding suspects in any way, directly or indirectly.
The police have reassured the public that all reports received will be treated with utmost confidentiality and that citizen cooperation remains a critical tool in the fight against crime.
Security experts say that arrests like this demonstrate the effectiveness of community-police collaboration, intelligence-driven operations, and proactive law enforcement strategies in curbing violent crime.
SP Ikenga Tochukwu, the Police Public Relations Officer for Anambra State, officially released the statement on 21st November 2025, highlighting the commitment of the police to maintain law and order in every part of the state.
As Anambra residents go about their daily lives, the police have reiterated that safety is a shared responsibility, urging everyone to remain alert and report suspicious activities to help sustain peace and security in the state.
