Anambra: Police nab 14 suspects over alleged kidnapping, murder, cultism

Fourteen suspects, aged between 18 and 36 years, have been arrested by the anti-crime squad of the Anambra Police Command in connection with kidnapping, murder, and cult activities within two weeks in the state.

Among them are Emeka Okolo, aged 29, from Ihiala LGA; Uchenna John, aged 21, from Ebonyi State; and Victor Iniukpong, aged 31, from Akwa Ibom State.

They were arrested in connection with the killing of a petrol station attendant in Nimo, Njikoka LGA. After the murder, they kidnapped the attendant’s boss, Mr. Abuchi Madueke, and stole his 330 Lexus Jeep.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, who paraded the suspects on Friday at a conference he organised for heads of police divisions in Nibo, Awka-South LGA, stated that the suspects were arrested in the 33 Onitsha area two days later while attempting to disable the tracker on another victim, Chukwujindu Obinna, from St. Charles Catholic Church in the area.

CP Itam also paraded three other suspects in kidnapping and murder cases: Nnatu Chiedozie, aged 43, a native of Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka LGA; Onyeka Okoye, aged 22, from Uruagu-Mbaukwu, Awka-South LGA; and Ndubuisi Emmanuel Abate, from Ayamelum LGA.

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They were arrested in connection with the kidnapping of Architect Sunday Etimbuk and Goodness Friday at Odume Obosi about a week ago.

Additionally, four other suspects—Emeka Okafor and Chidubem Ejiofor, both aged 18; Chigwo Nwankwo, aged 20; and Chijioke Onyibo, aged 18—were arrested as members of a cult group terrorizing Awka.

CP Itam further paraded Chigbogu Favour, aged 33, from Ihiala LGA, and Mbanefo Udeze from Oraifite, Ekwusigo LGA. They were involved in kidnapping operations in Anambra State, operating from nearby Asaba, Delta State, where they had their hideout.

Two other suspects—Chigaemezu Okafor (alias “England”), aged 26, from Mbano in Imo State, who confessed to several kidnapping incidents in Anambra State but had his hideout in Asaba, Delta State, and Uchenna Nwaiwu, aged 20, a native of Ngor Okpala, Imo State, who confessed to being the gang’s armorer—were also arrested.

CP Itam stated that while one pump-action gun was recovered from the suspected cultists terrorizing Awka, four other pump-action guns and one double-barrel gun were recovered from the kidnap suspects who used Asaba as their hideout.

Responding to reports circulating on some social media platforms about a series of kidnapping incidents at Dubai Estate in the state capital, allegedly perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen, CP Itam stated that none of these incidents had been reported to the police command. He described the reports as falsehoods and urged the public to report any criminal incidents to their nearest police station, assuring that the state police command under his leadership has the capacity to apprehend criminals and bring them to justice.

“Days after our last press briefing, I want to assure Ndi Anambra and all those engaged in legitimate businesses in the state of our commitment to restoring peace throughout the state. On behalf of all law enforcement and security agencies, I want to emphasize that we understand the trust placed upon us to protect life and property. Despite challenges, our officers are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, and I am confident that we are winning the battle against crime. For example:

ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY, MURDER, KIDNAPPING, AND CAR SNATCHING SUSPECTS: Emeka Okolo (29) of Ihiala, Uchenna John (21) of Ebonyi State, and Victor Iniukpong (31) of Akwa Ibom State. These suspects are connected to the kidnapping of Abuchi Madueke on July 13, 2024, in Nimo, where they shot and killed Clement Obodozie and stole a Lexus 330 Jeep. They were arrested while attempting to disable the tracker on another victim they kidnapped on July 15, 2024, Chukwujendu Obinna (39) from St. Charles Catholic Church, 33 Onitsha. They are part of a gang with eight other members.

ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS: On July 23, 2024, at about 0900hrs, operatives from the command arrested Nnatu Chiedozie (43) of Enugu Ukwu, Onyeka Okoye (22) of Uruagu Mbaukwu, and Ndubuisi Emmanuel Abate (19) of Ayamelu. These suspects are members of a kidnapping syndicate involved in the abduction of Architect Sunday Etimbuk and Goodness Friday on July 21, 2024.

ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERS/CULTISTS IN AWKA: Emeka Okafor (18), Chidubem Ejiofor (18), Chigwo Nwankwo (20), and Chijioke Onyibo (18), all from Awka. A pump-action gun was recovered from their possession as their operational weapon. The suspects are undergoing further investigation.

ARREST OF NOTORIOUS KIDNAPPERS WHO OPERATE IN ANAMBRA AND HIDE IN ASABA: Chigbogu Favour (33) of Ihiala and Mbanefo Udeze (36) of Oraifite were arrested at their hideout in Asaba, Delta State.

ARREST OF CONFESSED KIDNAPPERS AND THEIR GANG ARMORER: Chigaemezu Okafor (aka “England”) (26) of Mbano and Uchenna Nwaiwu (20) of Ngor Okpala, Imo State. The suspects were arrested at various locations in the state, and their operational weapons, including four pump-action guns and one double-barrel gun, were recovered. The suspects remain in police custody for further investigation.

ARREST OF AN ARMED ROBBER AND KIDNAPPING SUSPECT: Ugochukwu Francis (36) of Delta State, involved in several kidnapping incidents in Anambra State. The suspect is undergoing investigation to apprehend his syndicate members.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE SPREAD OF FALSE INFORMATION: I previously advised that information about crimes can be verified with the command’s PPRO. We cannot take responsibility for incidents not reported to the police and then published with malicious falsehoods and exaggerations, such as the alleged kidnapping by Fulani herdsmen at Dubai Estate. The purported victims of these incidents have yet to report to any police station. I advise owners of undeveloped plots in Dubai Estate to clear their plots, as stated by the CP.”