Police Arrest 4 Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Arms in Separate Operations*

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested four suspected kidnappers in separate operations across the state and recovered a locally fabricated pistol, live ammunition, an axe and other items allegedly linked to kidnapping and armed robbery.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the arrests were part of the Command’s ongoing offensive against violent crimes and criminal networks in the state.

In a statement issued over the weekend, Ikenga said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Awkuzu, on Wednesday, July 15, arrested one Okoye Ibegbunam Chukwuebuka JohnBosco, 32, popularly known as “Bone”.

He said the suspect was arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a victim in Okpanam, Asaba, Delta State. The victim was reportedly abducted, robbed and forced to pay ransom before regaining his freedom.

According to Ikenga, a search on the suspect led to the recovery of one locally fabricated pistol, two live rounds of ammunition, one axe, and an Itel Android phone with the victim’s photograph allegedly displayed as the screensaver.

“The suspect allegedly confessed to his involvement in the crime. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang still at large,” he said.

In a related development, RRS Awkuzu operatives, working with detectives from Ogbaru Divisional Police Headquarters, foiled another suspected kidnapping operation in Ogbaru on Thursday, July 16.

Ikenga said three suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate were arrested and a black Toyota Camry with tinted glasses and Lagos registration number LND 789HR, allegedly used for the operation, was recovered.

The suspects were identified as Chekwube Chukwu, 32; Amarachukwu Nwobosi, 34; and Sopuluchukwu Ifeakor, 30.

According to the PPRO, preliminary investigations showed the suspects were intercepted while allegedly attempting to abduct a female Point-of-Sale, POS, operator at Iyiowa, Odekpe, Atani, on the morning of July 16.

He said the intended victim raised an alarm, attracting residents who alerted the Police. The swift response led to the rescue of the woman and the arrest of the three suspects.

Ikenga further disclosed that investigations had linked the suspects to the alleged kidnapping of another female POS operator at Dominion Park, Head Bridge, Onitsha, on June 3, 2026.

The victim was allegedly abducted and dispossessed of two POS machines and Android phones before being forced to pay a ransom of ₦3.5 million for her release.

The three suspects, he added, have allegedly confessed to the crimes and are providing useful information to help identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate and their alleged receivers.

The Anambra State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling criminal networks and strengthening public safety across the state.

It urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible information to aid the prevention and detection of crime.