There is now anxiety in Anambra following the renewed invasion of alleged kidnappers in the state despite the efforts of different security outfits.

The situation has heightened tension as residents prepare for the Easter celebration in the state

Already, one of the notorious alleged kidnappers has been arrested by the state Police command, while two of the victims have also been rescued.

The incident happened on Easter eve as security operatives intensified efforts to arrest more hoodlums as they embarked on street patrols.

While felicitating ndi Anambra, the state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, said nothing would deter them from ensuring the safety of life and property of the residents

He said the intensified security patrols were aimed at ensuring that residents and visitors feel safe and to nip in the bud any untoward situation during the Easter holidays and beyond.

According to the command?s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement Saturday in Awka, the investigation is still ongoing

?During one of such patrols, the Police rescued two kidnap victims, arrested a notorious cultist/kidnapper, and recovered seven pump-action guns, seven live cartridges, three handcuffs, one cutlass, one axe, one dagger and other incriminating items?

Similarly, ?In the early hours of 18th April 2025, following an intense search operation, the Joint Security Team comprising the Police Operatives from Uli Police Divisional headquarters and Uli Vigilantes secured the safe return of two kidnapped victims in Ihiala.

?The armed men on Sunday, 13th April 2025 at 2 pm at Amorka Village, Uli, along Onitsha Owerri Expressway double-crossed the victim?s vehicle, forced the occupants into another vehicle and zoomed off with them.

?The armed criminals abandoned the victim?s vehicle at the scene. The responding Police team has since recovered the abandoned vehicle to the Police Station for safekeeping.

?Meanwhile, the operation is still ongoing to arrest the armed suspects,? Ikenga said.

In a related development, on Thursday, security operatives recovered a bag of rice containing five pump-action guns, eight live cartridges, and two handcuffs neatly concealed in it in a parked vehicle.

?The arms and the bus were recovered, and investigations are still ongoing to unmask the culprits.? (The Nation)

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