The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a kidnap victim, arrested seven suspected members of kidnapping and armed robbery syndicates, and recovered a stolen tricycle in separate operations across the state.
The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026, by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, who said the operations were carried out by operatives of the Anambra IGP’s Violent Crime Response Unit based on credible and open-source intelligence.
According to Ikenga, two suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate, identified as Victor Onwuka, alias “Bugatti,” and 30-year-old Madukaife Chidiebere Kenechukwu, were arrested in the early hours of August 16, 2026, at Akpukpokelemu Village, Nimo, in Njikoka Local Government Area.
The suspects were allegedly involved in the kidnap of a victim who was held captive for three days at a criminal hideout.
Ikenga said that during the victim’s captivity, the suspects allegedly withdrew a total of ₦7 million from the victim’s bank accounts before fleeing with his Toyota Highlander SUV.
He said the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crime during interrogation and were subsequently identified by the victim.
According to the police spokesperson, the suspects were also assisting investigators with information that could lead to the identification and arrest of other members of the syndicate still at large.
In a separate operation conducted on September 15, 2026, operatives of the same unit arrested five suspects allegedly linked to an armed robbery syndicate involved in the theft of a TVS tricycle in Delta State.
The stolen tricycle, with registration number ASB595VD, was allegedly snatched at gunpoint by armed men in Asaba in April 2026.
Ikenga said the operation led to the arrest of 38-year-old Nwakpa Friday and the recovery of the stolen tricycle at Old Road, Nkpor.
Following Friday’s arrest, operatives reportedly apprehended four other suspected members of the syndicate identified as 53-year-old Sylvester Nteshi; 35-year-old Nwuzor Livinus; 27-year-old Mgbom Uche; and 42-year-old Chiweuba Chukwudi.
The police spokesperson said the seven suspects and the recovered tricycle remained in police custody, while investigations continued to establish the individual roles allegedly played by the suspects and track down other members of the syndicates still at large.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the operatives for what he described as professionalism, intelligence-led policing and prompt response.
The CP, according to Ikenga, 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 spokesperson urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to strengthen security across Anambra.
