By Juliet Omini
Four suspected kidnappers have been killed in Anambra State following a fierce gun battle with operatives of the state police command and members of the Anambra State Vigilante Group (AVG).
The incident happened in the early hours of August 21, when a joint security team stormed a camp operated by suspected secessionist and kidnap gangs in Awa, Orumba North Local Government Area. The operation, which lasted more than 15 hours, followed what police described as “credible intelligence.”
In the process, a victim who had earlier been kidnapped and held hostage was rescued. According to the police, the victim’s family had already paid ₦20 million as ransom, yet the abductors refused to release him until the intervention of security operatives.
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development in a statement on Friday, said a cache of weapons, explosives, vehicles, and other incriminating materials were recovered from the camp.
Among the exhibits seized were two pump-action guns, one fabricated AK-47 rifle, one K2 assault rifle, a locally-made hunter gun, three improvised explosive devices (IEDs), two empty gas cylinders, cables, a radio transmission set, three 50kg bags of rice, five mobile phones, identity cards, and sleeping materials.
Also recovered were a black Lexus RX 350 Jeep with registration number ACA 340 MA, three Toyota Camry cars with number plates ABC 268 FQ, EKY 151 CD, FGG 706 ME, as well as another unregistered black Toyota Camry.
Ikenga quoted the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, as saying that the command would sustain its operations until all criminal hideouts across the state were dismantled.
“The command remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring safety and security. Ndi Anambra should rest assured that follow-up operations are ongoing to arrest fleeing suspects and to completely destroy terrorist and kidnap camps in the state,” the statement read.
The police added that further updates on the operation would be communicated to the public in due course.
