Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a kidnap victim, arrested seven suspects linked to separate kidnapping and armed robbery syndicates, and recovered a stolen tricycle in intelligence-driven operations across the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Command's Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police said two suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and five suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate were arrested in separate operations carried out by operatives of the Anambra IGP's Violent Crime Response Unit. The statement said the operations were part of the Command's ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal networks operating across and beyond Anambra State.
In the first operation, operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested Victor Onwuka, popularly known as "Bugatti," and Madukaife Chidiebere Kenechukwu, aged 30, in the early hours of August 16, 2026, at Akpukpokelemu Village, Nimo, in Njikoka Local Government Area. The two were allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a victim who was held captive for three days in a criminal hideout. During the period of captivity, the kidnappers allegedly withdrew a total sum of N7 million from the victim's bank accounts before fleeing with his Toyota Highlander SUV. During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crime and were subsequently identified by the victim. The police said the two were assisting investigators with useful information towards the identification and arrest of other members of the syndicate who remain at large.
In a separate operation on September 15, 2026, the same operatives, acting on open-source intelligence, arrested five suspects allegedly involved in the armed robbery and snatching of a TVS tricycle with registration number ASB595VD by armed men in April 2026 at Asaba, Delta State. Following the arrest of the first suspect, Nwakpa Friday, aged 38, and the recovery of the stolen tricycle at Old Road, Nkpor, operatives subsequently apprehended four other suspected members of the robbery syndicate. They were identified as Sylvester Nteshi, aged 53; Nwuzor Livinus, aged 35; Mgbom Uche, aged 27; and Chiweuba Chukwudi, aged 42.
The police said the suspects and the recovered tricycle were currently in police custody, while investigation was ongoing to establish the individual roles of the suspects and apprehend other members of the syndicate still at large. The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the operatives for their professionalism, intelligence-led approach and prompt response. He reiterated the Command's commitment to sustained intelligence-led operations, strategic deployment of technology and coordinated operational pressure against kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other forms of violent crime across the state. The police urged members of the public to continue providing credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing and investigating criminal activities.
The arrests come amid heightened concern over kidnapping and armed robbery in Anambra State, where security agencies have been under pressure to check criminal networks operating with increasing boldness. The Command has reported a series of high-profile operations in recent weeks, including the rescue of three kidnap victims and the arrest of 57 suspects in connection with kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related violence and murder. In that operation, which spanned a month, 18 firearms and 43 rounds of ammunition were recovered. The Command also said it destroyed a criminal camp during the crackdown.
Anambra has long been a flashpoint for kidnapping and armed robbery, with criminal gangs targeting wealthy residents, travellers and business owners. The state's strategic location in Nigeria's South-East, its dense commercial activity and its relatively porous borders with neighbouring states have made it a preferred operating ground for syndicates that often extend their activities into Delta, Enugu, Imo and beyond. The recovery of a tricycle stolen in Delta State and the arrest of suspects linked to a kidnapping in Njikoka Local Government Area underscore the cross-state nature of these networks, which the police have increasingly sought to disrupt through intelligence-sharing and coordinated operations.
The operations also reflect a broader shift in policing strategy in Anambra, with the Command placing greater emphasis on intelligence-led policing, technology deployment and community cooperation. The IGP's Violent Crime Response Unit, which executed both operations, was established as a specialised unit to respond rapidly to violent crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism. Its involvement in the arrests suggests a deliberate effort to concentrate resources on high-priority targets rather than reactive patrols alone. The Commissioner of Police has repeatedly stressed the importance of credible information from the public, a recognition that successful policing in the state depends as much on community trust as on operational capacity.
The recovery of the stolen tricycle also highlights the economic dimension of armed robbery in the region. Tricycles are a vital means of transportation and livelihood for thousands of residents across the South-East, and their theft by armed gangs represents not only a criminal act but a direct assault on the economic survival of the owners and their families. The police said the tricycle, snatched in Asaba in April, was recovered at Old Road, Nkpor, in Anambra State, illustrating the movement of stolen goods across state lines and the importance of inter-state cooperation in tackling property crime.
The Command's statement did not disclose whether the kidnap victim, who was held for three days, required medical attention or whether the stolen SUV had been recovered. It also did not provide details on how the N7 million was withdrawn from the victim's bank accounts, though such withdrawals typically involve coercion or the use of the victim's mobile banking credentials. The police said investigations were ongoing and that further arrests were expected as the suspects provided information on other members of their syndicates.
For residents of Anambra, the latest arrests offer a measure of reassurance that security agencies are actively pursuing criminal networks, but they also serve as a reminder that kidnapping and armed robbery remain persistent threats. The Command's emphasis on sustained intelligence-led operations and community cooperation reflects an understanding that the battle against violent crime cannot be won through arrests alone. As investigations continue, the police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activities, stressing that timely information remains one of the most effective tools in preventing crime and apprehending offenders.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments