Police foil kidnap attempt in Ogbaru, recover pistol, stolen vehicle and link suspects to ₦3.5 million ransom case

The Anambra State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against violent crime with the Anambra Police arrest four suspected kidnappers allegedly linked to separate kidnapping and armed robbery operations, while also foiling an attempted abduction in Ogbaru Local Government Area.

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The operations, carried out by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, working alongside detectives from the Ogbaru Divisional Police Headquarters, also led to the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol, live ammunition, a stolen vehicle and other exhibits believed to have been used in criminal activities.

The command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, describing the arrests as part of the command’s ongoing security review and intensified offensive against kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, homicide, banditry, sexual offences and drug-related crimes across the state.

According to Ikenga, one of the suspects, Okoye Ibegbunam Chukwuebuka John Bosco, also known as “Bone”, aged 32, was arrested on 15 July 2026 during an investigation into the kidnapping of a victim in Okpanam, Delta State.

Police said the victim had been abducted, robbed and forced to pay a ransom before regaining freedom.

During a search, officers reportedly recovered a locally fabricated pistol, two live rounds of ammunition, an axe and an Itel Android phone bearing the victim’s photograph as its screensaver.

“The suspect allegedly confessed to his involvement in the crime, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang currently at large,” Ikenga said.

In a separate operation on 16 July 2026, police operatives foiled a suspected kidnap attempt targeting a female Point of Sale operator at Iyiowa, Odekpe, Atani in Ogbaru Local Government Area.

The swift response followed a distress call after the intended victim raised the alarm, attracting nearby residents and security operatives.

Police arrested three suspects identified as Chekwube Chukwu, 32, Amarachukwu Nwobosi, 34, and Sopuluchukwu Ifeakor, 30.

Investigators also recovered a black Toyota Camry with tinted windows bearing Lagos registration number LND 789HR, which police believe was used during the gang’s operations.

Preliminary investigations linked the trio to the earlier kidnapping of another female POS operator at Dominion Park, Head Bridge, Onitsha, on 3 June 2026.

According to the police, the victim was abducted, stripped of two POS machines and Android phones, and compelled to pay a ₦3.5 million ransom before she was released.

“During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the crimes.

They are currently providing useful information to assist the police in identifying and arresting their criminal receivers and other members of the syndicate operating within the state,” Ikenga stated.

Kidnappings targeting POS operators and business owners have become a growing security concern in parts of south-eastern Nigeria, with criminals increasingly focusing on victims believed to handle significant cash transactions.

Security agencies have intensified intelligence-led operations in response, resulting in a series of arrests and recoveries across the region.

Ikenga said the latest operations demonstrated the command’s determination to dismantle criminal networks and improve public safety throughout Anambra State.

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The police spokesperson urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting law enforcement agencies with timely and credible information that could aid ongoing investigations and crime prevention efforts.