The Anambra State Police Command has said that its operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) arrested four suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate in the State.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday said the arrests followed credible intelligence linking the suspects to a high-profile kidnapping case in which victims were released after a ransom of N5 million was paid.
He said the suspects, identified as Chigozie Igboekwu (31), Odumegwu Chibuike (23), Jonah Awudu (40), and Okechukwu Nwari (33), were arrested in the Amansea of Awka, the state capital.
During the operation, Ikenga said the police operatives recovered two pump-action rifles and nine live cartridges.
According to him, the case was initially reported at B Division, Awka, and subsequently transferred to the RRS on August 14, 2025.
Following extensive surveillance and investigation, the suspects were tracked down and arrested.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that on August 12, 2025, at around 7:00 PM, the gang kidnapped two victims in Amansea and held them captive in a bush at Ugwuoba, Enugu State, for two days.
The police spokesperson said the victims were released only after their families paid a N5 million ransom.
He said the four suspects had confessed to the crime and detailed their involvement during interrogation.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, commended the operatives for their action.
He reassured residents of the State of the Command’s steadfast commitment to combatting crime and ensuring public safety.
The Commissioner said the command would not relent in its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements, adding that operations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
