30 suspects nabbed as Police continue war against crime in Anambra

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka

No fewer than 30 suspected criminals have been arrested by Police for their engagement in cultism, robbery, and kidnapping in different parts of Anambra State during the Yuletide celebration.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Awka the State capital on Monday.

He said from the first day of December 2023 to January 8, 2024, the Police in the state have arrested a total of 12 suspected kidnappers, nine armed robbers, six cultists, and three insurgents.

He also stated that two kidnap victims were rescued while 11 stolen vehicles, 12 firearms, and 40 ammunition were recovered within the said period, adding that some of the arrests and recoveries were made at different locations based on tip-off.

The CP said “We sacrificed our Christmas and New Year celebrations to make sure Anambra was safe. It is our delight that people had a peaceful celebration.

“It will interest the public to also note how the command launched a manhunt and went after those criminals that killed two police officers from Enugu State Command at Uga Roundabout, Aguata LGA, on December 28, 2023.

“On December 31, 2023, the command went after them at their camp in Ogboji in Orumba South Local Government Area, where three of them were gunned down. In the process, two police officers were also injured and they are right now receiving treatment.

“In that encounter, we rescued a 51-year-old man who was abducted on the day the attack was launched. After that encounter, we have not had any other encounter in the state. We will not relent until every one of the insurgents is haunted down.

“During the Christmas celebrations, we did not want to bother the public about the successes we have recorded, but now that everyone is in a relaxed mood, we called you to update you on the successes we have recorded in our fight against the criminal insurgents.

“The command since December 1, 2023, so far arrested 12 kidnap suspects, nine armed robbery suspects, six cultists, and three insurgents.  also, 11 stolen vehicles were recovered, 12 firearms recovered and 40 live ammunition were recovered from the criminal groups in the period under review.”

According to him, the suspects were dislodged after a manhunt was launched against them after carrying out intelligence gathering on their activities.

“The new year has started on a good note for the command, there is peace and there is tranquillity in Anambra, but the only problem in the state now is the huge traffic congestion we are witnessing here and there.

“The fact that people can go from place to place without any fear of harassment gives us joy. I thank the media for the visibility of our activities and we promised to continue with the work we are doing. We will continue to tell you the true report of things without any embellishments,” he added.

In the other arrests, the CP highlighted that “On 05/12/2023 at about 11:30hrs, police operatives attached to Rapid Response/Anti-Kidnap Squad in collaboration with Obosi vigilante men arrested one Samson Ubon ‘m’, aged 31yrs of Makwumi village Obosi and Efobi Ekene ‘m’, aged 29yrs of Ugamuma village, Obosi.

“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to being involved in the kidnap of one Obioma Godswill ‘m’, of Delta State. They further stated that they normally lure their victims using Facebook accounts with pictures of beautiful ladies to their hideout where they keep them and collect ransom before they are released. The suspects are assisting operatives in the arrest of other gang members.

“On 01/12/2023 at about 18:15hrs, police operatives attached to Rapid Response/Anti-Kidnap Squad arrested one Obinna Emmanuel Ekwunife ‘m’, aged 27yrs of Nando, Anambra East LGA but resides at Umuokeokpa Village, Akwukwu, Idemili South LGA.

“On 2/12/2023 at about 15:00hrs, Police Operatives attached to Rapid Response/Anti-Kidnap Squad arrested one Olobo Ibrahim ‘m’, aged 47yrs, a Staff of the Light Of God Estate, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi LGA, a receiver of a robbed Lexus SUV along Kwata Junction, Awka, on 29/05/2023 at about 2140hrs from one Electrician in a mechanic workshop at Ogidi, Idemili North LGA.

“On 05/12/2023 at about 12:35hrs, police operatives attached to Neni Division in collaboration with Adazi-Nukwu vigilante while on a routine patrol along Adazi-Nnukwu town hall road intercepted and arrested one Chukwuebuka Sunday Oshine ‘m’, aged 22yrs of Umudim village, Nobi; Idemili South LGA while one other took to his heels.

“A bag containing a bunch of tools such as spanners used for the vandalising of EEDC transformers was recovered. Investigation is in progress.

“On 05/12/2023 at about 19:00hrs, at Ishiaku village Isuofia, Aguata LGA, one Benjamin Osimeke ‘m’, of the same address, a commercial motorcyclist while en-route home, a three-man syndicate suspected to be specialised in robbing innocent citizens of their motorcycles flagged him down under the pretext of seeking for assistance.

“In the process, they brought out a locally made pistol and demanded his Motorcycle which he raised an alarm that attracted a joint patrol team of Police and vigilantes.

“The hoodlums on sighting the team took to their heels abandoning the said gun. Investigation is in progress to track them.”