By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 57 suspects, rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered 18 firearms and 43 rounds of ammunition in its operations across the state in the past one month under the leadership of CP Nnanna Oji Ama as Police Commissioner.
The Command also said it had destroyed a criminal camp as part of its efforts to disrupt the activities of kidnapping, armed robbery, cult and other organised criminal groups operating in the state.
This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen on Friday by Police Public Relations Officer of the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, following an operational visit to the Command by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 13, Ukpo, AIG Miller Gajere Dantawye.
Presenting the Command’s one-month operational scorecard during the visit, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ama, said the results were recorded through intelligence gathering, targeted operations and strategic deployment of the Command’s tactical units, Area Commands and divisions.
He added that the operations were carried out in collaboration with sister security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
According to the statement, the arrests covered suspects linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related violence, murder and other serious offences, while the recovery of the firearms and ammunition was part of the broader effort to weaken criminal networks in the state.
Ama said the Command would sustain its offensive against criminal elements, with emphasis on developing actionable intelligence, precision deployment, aggressive patrols and rapid response to security threats.
He directed commanders and personnel to remain vigilant and constantly review their deployment strategies as crime patterns and intelligence evolve.
The Commissioner also assured residents that the Command would continue to deny criminals freedom of action and maintain pressure on identified criminal networks.
Speaking during the visit, AIG Dantawye commended the Anambra Command for the results recorded within the period, describing the operational gains as encouraging.
The AIG charged officers and men to consolidate the achievements through discipline, professionalism, courage, effective supervision and strict observance of the rule of law.
He particularly urged the Command to strengthen its intelligence networks and improve engagement with communities so that useful information could be translated into timely security operations.
Dantawye further directed commanders to intensify efforts against kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, drug-related offences and other violent crimes, while ensuring that their operations remained lawful and respectful of human rights.
He stressed that public confidence and community cooperation were important to effective policing, urging officers to maintain respectful and responsive relationships with residents.
The police spokesman said the operational visit reinforced the commitment of the Zone 13 leadership and the Anambra Command to intelligence-led policing and sustained action against criminal elements.
The Command also appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, members of the Police Community Relations Committee, civil society groups and other stakeholders to continue sharing credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing and fighting crime.
It assured law-abiding residents that all lawful operational resources would continue to be deployed towards protecting lives and property and maintaining public order across the state.
More photos from the event:
