Anambra Police Arrest 10 Suspected Kidnappers, Robbers, Recover Guns

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of separate armed robbery and kidnapping syndicates in intelligence-led operations across the state, recovering several firearms and other items.

The Command said one of the suspects confessed to participating in the abduction and killing of a victim in July 2026.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

Ikenga said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, arrested a 25-year-old suspect, Emmanuel Chekwube Mark, in the early hours of Thursday, August 27, 2026.

According to him, the operatives recovered one locally fabricated pistol, two pump-action guns and a military-pattern face cap from the suspect.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that Mark was allegedly a member of a four-man armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate operating around the Ifite Awka axis of the state.

The police spokesperson said the suspect confessed to conspiring with other members of the gang, who are currently at large, to abduct unsuspecting residents.

Ikenga said Mark also confessed to participating in the kidnapping of a victim on July 22, 2026.

According to the suspect’s alleged statement, the victim was dispossessed of valuables before being murdered, while the remains were abandoned in a bush.

The suspect reportedly disclosed that the gang used a tricycle to block their victims under the pretext that the victim had scratched or damaged the vehicle.

The gang would then allegedly engage the victim in an argument before overpowering the person at gunpoint and taking the victim to their hideout at Umoji, Ebenebe, where the victims were allegedly tortured and robbed.

In a separate operation on Friday, August 28, the police said a joint security team arrested nine suspects at a checkpoint in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Ikenga said the operation was carried out by the Joint Operation Base, Aguata, in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service and Agunechemba Security Outfit.

He said the suspects, comprising seven males and two females, were arrested after security operatives stopped and searched a custom-coloured Sienna and an ash-coloured Toyota RAV4.

According to him, three AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, charms and other items were recovered from the vehicles.

The police said the suspects claimed during preliminary interrogation that they were security operatives based in a neighbouring state but failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding their identities, affiliations, firearms and reasons for entering Anambra.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the arrests and directed operatives to intensify efforts to apprehend fleeing accomplices.

The Command said it would sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent criminal networks across the state.