By Asuquo Cletus
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a suspected cultist and kidnapper, rescued two kidnapped victims.
The police also recovered arms and other dangerous items in multiple security operations carried out across the state.
The operations, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, on Saturday were part of intensified patrol efforts aimed at ensuring public safety during the Easter celebrations.
“In the early hours of April 18, 2025, following an intense search operation, a joint security team comprising Police operatives from Uli Divisional Headquarters and Uli Vigilantes rescued two kidnapped victims in Ihiala,” Ikenga said.
The victims had been abducted on April 13 at about 2:00 p.m. at Amorka Village, Uli, along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, when armed men double-crossed their vehicle and forced them into another car before fleeing. The victims’ abandoned vehicle was recovered and moved to the police station for safekeeping.
The police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.
In a separate operation on April 17, at about 1:30 p.m., officers attached to the Fegge Divisional Headquarters intercepted a suspicious bus parked along Port Harcourt Road, Upper Iweka, Onitsha.
“During a search of the bus, the officers found a bag of rice concealing five pump-action guns, eight live cartridges, and two handcuffs,” Ikenga said. “The bus and the arms were recovered. Investigation is ongoing to identify and arrest those behind it.”
Also on April 17, at about 1:27 p.m., operatives of the Rapid Response Squad/Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, arrested one Israel Akachukwu, aged 25, at his residence on Ezeigwe Street, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area.
“Two pump-action guns, two live cartridges, one cutlass, one yellow axe, and one dagger were recovered from the suspect’s apartment,” the PPRO stated. “The suspect confessed to being a member of the Vikings Confraternity and is assisting the police with efforts to apprehend other gang members.”
Overall, the command recovered seven pump-action guns, seven live cartridges, three handcuffs, one cutlass, one axe, one dagger, and other incriminating materials during the operations.
The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, while commending the efforts of the officers, urged residents to remain law-abiding and vigilant.
“We encourage Ndi Anambra to emulate Christ’s humility and selfless lifestyle and use the Easter period to pray for the peace and security of the state and the country,” Orutugu said.
