Two arrested over murder of Anglican Bishop in Anambra

Nigeria Police Force, Anambra State Command, has arrested the driver of a late Anglican Bishop from Delta and another suspect linked to the cleric’s kidnap and death.

The deceased cleric, identified simply as Bishop Chinedu, was reportedly attached to the Anglican Diocese in Delta.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Ikioye Orutugu, paraded the suspects before journalists on Wednesday at the command headquarters in Awka.

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According to the police commissioner, the bishop’s driver allegedly conspired with gang members currently at large to kidnap the cleric at his residence in Asaba, Delta, on Tuesday.

Orutugu explained that the suspects gained access into the bishop’s residence after the driver allegedly opened the gate for the kidnappers as planned.

The gunmen were said to have opened fire on the cleric after he resisted the abduction, resulting in his death.

The police further disclosed that the driver later moved the late bishop’s black Toyota Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) to Anambra State in an attempt to sell it to a prospective buyer.

However, operatives of the command, acting on intelligence surrounding the incident, arrested the driver and the vehicle purchaser on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the command said four kidnapped victims were rescued during ongoing offensives against kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, child trafficking, sexual offences, and related crimes across the state.

The police command also confirmed the death of one officer during an exchange of gunfire with suspected criminals.

CP Orutugu described the slain officer as courageous and dedicated, adding that the command appreciates the Anambra State Government for pledging support to the deceased officer’s family and covering the medical expenses of two injured officers currently receiving treatment.

He said operatives on May 10, 2026, rescued four kidnapped victims, including the Chief Medical Director of Crown Hospital, Nkpor, after an intense tactical operation against a kidnapping gang.

According to him, the rescue operation followed a fierce gun duel between police operatives and the criminals at their hideout in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area.

During the operation, two armed suspects were neutralised while security operatives recovered a locally made pistol, 100 live General Purpose Machine Gun ammunition, 23 expended rounds, and three vehicles, including a silver Lexus RX 350 belonging to one of the rescued victims.

The commissioner also vowed that the command would take over any building or property used by kidnappers and criminal elements for illegal operations.

He urged residents, community leaders, President-Generals, and organisations to support security agencies with timely and credible information.

In another operation carried out on May 7, 2026, in Owerre Ezukala, Orumba South Local Government Area, the command recovered one General Purpose Machine Gun, 2,000 rounds of live chain ammunition, two fabricated rocket launchers with 25 propellers, 10 Improvised Explosive Devices, one locally made Beretta pistol, 10 pump-action guns, three hand grenades, 10 rounds of K2 live ammunition, one gas cylinder, and one Ecolac box.

The police also arrested a female suspect, Chinazo Winners Anyasirikwu, over alleged child trafficking activities in Aguata Local Government Area.

According to the command, 12 children between the ages of one and 20 years — comprising seven girls and five boys — were rescued during the operation.

The children have since been placed under protective care while investigations continue to uncover other members of the trafficking network.

CP Orutugu reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining operations against criminal activities and ensuring the safety of residents across Anambra.