The Anambra State Police Command said it recorded significant security breakthroughs in the past two weeks, including the rescue of four kidnapped victims, the arrest of 10 suspects, and the recovery of various arms and ammunition.
The state Commissioner of Police , CP Ikioye Orutugu, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the command’s headquarters in Awka on Friday.
Orutugu explained that among the arms and ammunition recovered were 10 arms of assorted brands, 16 expended cartridges and 46 live ammunition, four vehicles, and other incriminating items, adding that three of the recovered cars have been released to the owners.
He said the police, in collaboration with sister security agencies, including the Anambra State Vigilante Group and other security operatives, have intensified patrols and carried out targeted security operations to tackle criminal activities across the state.
He noted that among the four rescued victims was a Catholic reverend father, Rev. Father Stephen Echezona, who was abducted at a fuel station in Ichida on March 23, 2025. He added that the police, alongside the military and other operatives, successfully freed the priest during a gunfight with the kidnappers, who were using an unregistered white Lexus SUV.
He said, “On March 23, 2025, a joint security team comprising the police, military and other security operatives secured the release of Rev. Father Stephen Echezona at Ihiala. The priest who was rescued unharmed, was abducted at a fuel station in Ichida where a joint security force in an ensuing gun duel with the armed criminals operating in an unregistered white Lexus SUV subdued the criminals and rescued him.
“Also, on 22 March 2025 by 7.20 am, the police rescued three kidnapped victims along Onitsha/Owerri Express Road, Ozubulu. The victims were rushed to the hospital by the joint security team following various degrees of injury already inflicted on them by the criminals. The victims are currently responding to treatment and have been debriefed by the police, and operations are ongoing for the possible arrest of the assailants.
“On the same date, 22 March 2025, police operatives attached to the Obosi division on intelligence-led patrol along the Obosi/Nkpor motorway arrested one kosiso Okonwko ‘M’ and recovered one Berreta pistol. The suspect confessed to being a member of Aye Confertanity.
“Similarly, the command acting on complaints to nip in the bud all incidents of robbery of phones and personal belongings of innocent road users along Club Road Awka popularly known as Abakaliki Street, police operatives attached to the Special Anti-cult Unit Enugwu Ukwu in the early hours of 18th March 2025, arrested one Chibuike Ozoekwem ‘M’ 22 years and Favour Patrick ‘F’ 19 years respectively in an uncompleted building at Onwurah Street, Awka. The Operatives recovered one pump action gun, 16 pieces of expended cartridges, a battle Axe, and two suspected stolen phones.
“Subsequently, a victim identified one of the recovered phones and stated that she was robbed on the 13th of March, 2025 at gunpoint by four armed men along the said Club Road. The Police Operatives have expanded the investigation aimed at arresting other fleeing gang members.
“Recently, on 26th March 2025 by 5.48pm, a police surveillance team from the B Division on a Stop and Search along Book Foundation Ifite Awka intercepted a tricycle with three passengers and the driver. One of the passengers acting suspiciously was searched and the Operatives recovered one locally made Beretta pistol.
“The suspect was later identified as Somtochukwu Okoye a native of Umuike Village, Awka, who confessed to being a member of the Junior Viking secret cult, mentioned that the gun belonged to one Augustine Okafor aka ABOY, a native of Ore village, Amansea who is already in Police custody over a case of unlawful possession of a firearm.
“In a similar development, yesterday 27th March 2025, by 3.05 pm the Operatives from the same B Division while on Stop and Search along Dynamo junction, Ifite Awka arrested one Richard Onwugbufo of Ugbulu village Oraifite and recovered one Beretta pistol with three live ammunition.”
The CP said all the suspects involved shall be charged to court on the conclusion of the investigation
He urged the Muslim brothers and sisters in the state to a hitch-free Happy Sallah celebration and noted that the police, as the lead agency in internal security, will continue to work in synergy with the military, other security agencies, and local vigilante groups to enhance operational capacity, security dominance, and tactical efficiency in ensuring the safety and security of all residents.
