Deserter soldier, four others arrested for armed robbery, kidnapping in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested five suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate operating in the state.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement issued in Awka on Thursday, noting that the operation took place on August 27, 2025.

According to him, the arrest followed a report that a victim was abducted on his farmland at Isiagu, Awka, and later released after a ransom was paid.

“Acting on credible intelligence, Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, stormed the hideout of the suspects at Notoko, Awka, which led to the arrest of the following persons: Michael Nwobodo ‘M’ 30 yrs, Eze Friday ‘M’ 29 yrs, Uche Okolo ‘M’ 23 yrs, Chinedu Gilbert ‘M’ 29 yrs and Dominic Oraz ‘M’ 38 yrs (a confessed deserter of the Nigerian Army). Exhibits recovered from the suspects include: 6 (six) automatic pump-action guns, 63 (sixty-three) rounds of live cartridges, one microscope, 5 (five) machetes, one military cap, 2 (two) police teargas canisters, handcuffs, a robber’s rocket launcher, criminal charms, 3 (three) Motorola walkie-talkies, one jack knife, one power bank and cash sum of ₦26,000.00 (Twenty-Six Thousand Naira) only,” Ikenga stated.

He added that during interrogation, one of the suspects, Dominic Oraz, confessed to deserting the Nigerian Army in November 2024. “Necessary enquiries have commenced with the authority to guide police action and prosecution of other suspects,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc MNIPS PhD, commended the operatives for their gallantry and urged residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and to report suspicious activities to the police for prompt action.

He further assured Ndi Anambra of the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating violent crimes in the state.

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