By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a kidnap victim, arrested seven suspected members of separate criminal syndicates and recovered a tricycle allegedly snatched during an armed robbery in Delta State.
The breakthroughs, according to the statement issued on Thursday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, were recorded in separate intelligence-driven operations carried out by operatives of the Anambra IGP’s Violent Crime Response Unit.
According to the PPRO, two suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Njikoka Local Government Area, while five others linked to an armed robbery syndicate were apprehended in connection with a stolen tricycle.
SP Ikenga added that the operations were part of the Command’s ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal networks operating across and beyond Anambra.
He said the first breakthrough followed credible intelligence that led operatives to Akpukpokelemu Village, Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area, in the early hours of August 16, 2026.
The Police Spokesman said those arrested in the operation were Victor Onwuka, popularly known as “Bugatti”, and 30-year-old Madukaife Chidiebere Kenechukwu, who were allegedly involved in the abduction of a victim who was held captive for three days in a criminal hideout.
He said during the period of the victim’s captivity, the suspects allegedly withdrew a total of N7 million from his bank accounts before escaping with his Toyota Highlander SUV.
The Police said both suspects confessed to their alleged involvement during interrogation and were subsequently identified by the victim.
The suspects were also said to be providing police investigators with information expected to assist in tracing and arresting other members of the syndicate who are still at large.
In another operation conducted on September 15, the police spokesman said operatives of the same Violent Crime Response Unit used open-source intelligence to track down members of an alleged armed robbery syndicate connected to the theft of a TVS tricycle in Asaba, Delta State, in April.
He said the investigation first led to the arrest of 38-year-old Nwakpa Friday and the recovery of the stolen tricycle, with registration number ASB595VD, at Old Road, Nkpor, Anambra State.
Further investigation following Friday’s arrest led to the apprehension of four other suspects allegedly linked to the robbery, who were identified as 53-year-old Sylvester Nteshi, 35-year-old Nwuzor Livinus, 27-year-old Mgbom Uche and 42-year-old Chiweuba Chukwudi.
The Police said the five suspects and the recovered tricycle were being held in custody as investigators worked to determine the specific roles allegedly played by each of them and track down other members of the syndicate who remain at large.
Reacting to the developments, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism, prompt response and intelligence-led approach to the operations.
Oji Ama reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led policing, including the strategic deployment of technology and coordinated operational pressure against kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes.
He also stressed the need for continued operational efforts aimed at dismantling criminal networks rather than merely responding to individual incidents.
The latest arrests add to a series of recent operations by the Anambra Police Command in which intelligence gathering, surveillance and tactical interventions have been deployed in efforts to track criminal suspects and recover stolen property.
