The Anambra Police Command has announced the arrest of 300 suspects, secured multiple convictions, rescued 14 kidnapping victims, and recovered numerous explosives along with sophisticated arms and ammunition.
These significant achievements were recorded by the command from January 2024 to the present.
During a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Awka, Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam stated, “These accomplishments include tackling armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, child trafficking, public disturbances, attacks on unsuspecting civilians and security personnel, damage to government infrastructure, and various other offences.”
The police chief assured the public that “efforts to reduce crime and criminality are yielding positive results. We have also recovered over forty-three (43) unexploded improvised devices and over one hundred (100) different kinds of arms, including AK-47s, pump-action guns, locally made pistols, and others.”
“Additionally, we seized two thousand, nine hundred and thirty-seven (2937) rounds of various types of ammunition, approximately forty (40) stolen vehicles, and numerous motorcycles, among other items related to ongoing investigations.”
“It is important to note that some suspects involved in last year’s unfortunate incidents, including unprovoked attacks on security personnel and the public, were eliminated during shootouts. Others were apprehended during separate operations conducted by the police and joint security forces.”
Providing further details on these operations, Itam recounted:
“In the early hours of December 24, 2024, a joint security operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, the Military, Civil Defence, and Anambra Vigilante successfully dismantled a criminal camp in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area. This operation resulted in the destruction of several makeshift structures within the camp, the recovery of 19 unexploded improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and significant injuries inflicted on fleeing suspects.”
“This decisive action followed credible intelligence regarding the criminal gang’s activities in the area, along with information obtained during the interrogation of suspects arrested in ongoing police operations across the state.”
“In another operation, police operatives from the Anti-Cultism Squad in Enugu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area, acting on reliable information, raided an identified criminal hotspot in Umunaga Village, Awka South LGA, late on Saturday, 7th December 2024.”
“During this operation, one Okechukwu Chinwuko, aged 27 from Umunaga Village, and Ezenwa Chinedu, aged 22 from Umuneri Village, were arrested. Incriminating items recovered included a pump-action gun, four live cartridges, a cutlass, criminal charms, and substances suspected to be hard drugs. The operatives also rescued two female victims who had been subjected to sexual abuse by the suspects.”
“Furthermore, operatives from the Special Anti-Cultism Squad in Enugu-Ukwu, acting on credible information on 6th December 2024 at 2:30 PM, arrested one Miracle Mwakalor, aged 18 from Umubele village, Awka-South Local Government Area, and recovered an AK-47 rifle with a magazine.”
“The operatives raided the criminal gang’s hideout during a debriefing session where they planned further attacks in Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area. Miracle was apprehended while other gang members escaped. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime and led the operatives to an apartment in Ubuofu Awka, where the hidden rifle was found in the roof.”
“We have suspects who murdered their brother and buried him in a shallow grave in a compound in Oko. The deceased, Chibuzor Okeke, was accused of burglary and theft. His brother Chidiebere Okeke and cousin Emebo Ogochukwu attacked him, causing him to lose consciousness. When he was rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead. To conceal their crime, the two suspects buried Chibuzor in a shallow grave in their compound.”
“The command also successfully rescued four (4) children who had been allegedly stolen from their parents in Bauchi State and sold within Anambra. Four suspects, including an illegal foster mother, were arrested.”
“The suspects confessed to their crime, detailing their individual roles. One of the children has been identified, and efforts are underway to reunite that child with their parents.”
He also mentioned that “the year under review witnessed successful Local Government Elections in the State. Also, in the drive to fight all forms of criminalities, the Command embarked on security advocacy visits to Local Government Headquarters and established a Community Policing Committee to foster community engagement.
“Our focus this year is to consolidate on the gains in crime prevention and restoration of Law and Order towards improving the safety and security of lives in Anambra State. By the robust advocacy on Community Policing Principles, the launch of “Operation Udo Ga Chi”, the State Police Command has expressed its willingness to stamp out crime and other forms of criminalities from our State.”
He also seized the opportunity to thank the IGP, Anambra governor and the Media for their support to the command.
“Lastly, I want to extend our gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, for his guidance and overall support. I also appreciate the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR, sister Agencies, the Media, residents of the State, Anambra State Vigilantes operatives, Civil society groups, Organizations and many others for their unflinching support. Please be assured that the confidence reposed on us for protection of lives and properties is not to be taken for granted.
