Police Rescue Kidnap Victim, Arrest 7 Suspects in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a kidnap victim and arrested seven suspects in separate operations carried out across the state.

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

Ikenga said operatives also recovered a suspected stolen tricycle during one of the operations. "The command also arrested five suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate and recovered suspected stolen tricycle," he said.

Kidnap Victim Rescued, Two Suspects Arrested

According to Ikenga, operatives of the Anambra IGP Violent Crime Response Unit, acting on credible intelligence, arrested two suspects at Akpukpokelemu Village in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area, over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a victim held captive for three days at a criminal hideout.

"During the period of captivity, the kidnappers allegedly withdrew a total sum of ₦7 million from the victim's bank accounts before fleeing with his Toyota Highlander SUV," the police spokesman said.

Ikenga added that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the crime and were subsequently identified by the victim. He noted that the suspects are currently assisting police with information that could lead to the identification and arrest of other members of the syndicate still at large.

Five Suspects Arrested Over Tricycle Robbery

In a separate operation, the PPRO said the same unit, acting on open-source intelligence, arrested five suspects allegedly involved in the armed robbery and snatching of a TVS tricycle. "Following the arrest of the first suspect and the recovery of the stolen tricycle at Old Road, Nkpor, operatives subsequently apprehended four other suspected members of the robbery syndicate," he said.

Ikenga confirmed that the suspects and the recovered tricycle remain in police custody, with investigations ongoing to establish each suspect's individual role and apprehend other syndicate members still at large.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Nnanna Ama, commended the operatives for their professionalism, intelligence-led approach, and prompt response. The CP reaffirmed the command's commitment to sustained intelligence-led operations, strategic deployment of technology, and coordinated operational pressure against violent crimes across the state.