The Anambra State Police Command has foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued three victims in separate operations across the state.

During the process, the police also arrested a notorious member of a proscribed armed separatist group and recovered arms and other incriminating items.

The spokesman for the state command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development in a press statement released on Tuesday, said the police operatives carried out the exercise in a series of coordinated operations in different parts of the state in the early hours of Tuesday.

Ikenga noted that in recent times, the command has continued to record major operational breakthroughs in its relentless efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.

He said, ?The Anambra State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, continues to record major operational breakthroughs in its relentless efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.

?In a series of coordinated operations across different parts of the state, police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, in the early hours of today, 15th July 2025, arrested one Gospel Ozioma Nneto, male, aged 31, aka ?OZ,? a notorious leader of a proscribed armed separatist group.

?In another operation, the Divisional Police Officers of Nimo and Nteje, in collaboration with local vigilante operatives, successfully rescued three kidnapped victims held by suspected armed hoodlums. Items recovered from the operations include: One pump-action gun and one dagger.?

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The PPRO further said, ?The arrested suspect is a known terrorist, kidnapper, and armed robber, and a confirmed member of the proscribed separatist group.

?During interrogation, he confessed to being a photographer for the group, operating from a camp known as ?Mother Valley,? located in the Orsumohu-Orsu axis. He is currently undergoing further interrogation as discreet investigations continue to uncover his criminal network.?

He also added that a joint security team comprising police operatives from Nimo Division and local vigilante members, acting on credible intelligence, searched forested areas between Oraukwu and Nimo communities in the evening of July 15, 2025.

?This led to the successful rescue of two female kidnap victims. The victims will be reunited with their families following necessary medical and psychological evaluations.

?In another breakthrough, on the evening of July 14, 2025, police operatives from Nteje Division, responding to an attempted attack by two armed suspects, engaged the assailants in a gun duel. The operatives neutralised the armed hoodlums and recovered: One pump-action gun, one dagger, and other incriminating items.

?Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal syndicates involved in these incidents.

?The Command remains resolute in its mission to ensure the safety and security of all residents and visitors to Anambra State,? he added. (The PUNCH)

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