By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Police operatives in Anambra State have arrested three suspects involved in car snatching, diversion of trucks and child-stealing syndicate.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Thursday said that it recovered stolen items and vehicles in the course of separate Operations in the state.

According to him, the arrests came on the heels of the enhanced strategic positioning and security patrols emplacement in collaboration with community/security stakeholders collaboration and the Commissioner of Police CP Ikioye Orutugu.

He stated that the Anambra State Police Command has continued to stabilise the safety and security of the state as police operatives attached to the respective Police Divisional Headquarters, which include Achalla, Okpoko, and Ihiala record the arrest of three suspects involved in car snatching/diversion of trucks, child-stealing syndicate, and recover stolen items and vehicles in separate operations.

Ikenga said: “On 23rd September, 2025 by 12.38pm, a Joint Team of Police operatives from Achalla Division and members of the Special Vigilante Taskforce of Achalla swiftly arrested two male suspects identified as Chinwendu Ndieli and Uchenna Offodile.

“The Joint Security Team acted on the report of a Mack Truck with Registration No. T 5003 LA, together with an empty container suspected to have been stolen, which was parked near St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Achalla.

“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and revealed how the truck was stolen from a company in Lagos. Meanwhile, the owner has been contacted to come with the necessary documents to reclaim the vehicle.”

Reeling out the Command’s achievements in the area of crime in the state, the Police Spokesman said that also on the evening of September 28th, 2025, Police Operatives from Okpoko Division received credible information about an abandoned vehicle along Onitsha–Owerri Road, opposite Tiger Fruit Company.

He said that the Divisional Patrol Team, led by the DPO, promptly moved to the scene and discovered a white Toyota Camry Spider with Registration Number Anambra: AWK 91 SR.

The Police Spokesman added: “During the search, an additional plate number Delta: 06A 90 DT was recovered inside the vehicle. The car has since been recovered to the station for safekeeping, identification and possible collection by the rightful owner.

“Also, on the same evening of 23rd September, 2025 through the assistance of the youths of Akwa Village, Ihiala arrested one male suspect, Charles Chiemerie Onuigbo over an alleged case of abduction of three children between the ages of 6, 3, and 2 years respectively.

“Preliminary information reveals that Charles and two others who are currently at large conspired and abducted the three children.

“Further revelations from the mother of the victims stated that while her children were eating in front of their house, she went into the kitchen to get them more food but returned to find them missing. Also, the arrested suspect is a neighbor who had been harbouring the two fleeing.

“Other parts of the State Command remain calm as counter-terrorism and other crime prevention operations continue.”