The Anambra State Police Command has foiled a suspected kidnapping attempt, rescued a victim and arrested seven suspects allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a victim who was held captive for three days in a criminal hideout.

Two of the suspects belong to a kidnapping syndicate that specialises in kidnapping unsuspecting members of the public, while five suspects are members of an armed robbery syndicate specialising in snatching vehicles.

In a press statement released on Thursday, the command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said they were arrested by operatives of the command during separate security operations.

The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command has recorded significant operational breakthroughs in separate security operations, leading to the rescue of a kidnap victim, the arrest of two suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate, the arrest of five suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate, and the recovery of a stolen tricycle.

“In the first operation, operatives of the Anambra ‘IGP’s Violent Crime Response Unit’, acting on credible intelligence, arrested Victor Onwuka, alias ‘Bugatti’, and Madukaife Chidiebere Kenechukwu, aged 30, in the early hours of August 16, 2026, at Akpukpokelemu Village, Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area.

“The suspects were allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a victim who was held captive for three days in a criminal hideout. During the period of captivity, the kidnappers allegedly withdrew a total sum of ₦7 million from the victim’s bank accounts before fleeing with his Toyota Highlander SUV.

“During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crime and were subsequently identified by the victim. They are also assisting the Police with useful information towards the identification and arrest of other members of the syndicate who remain at large.”

According to him, in a separate operation on September 15, 2026, the same operatives, acting on open-source intelligence, arrested five suspects allegedly involved in the armed robbery and snatching of a TVS tricycle with registration number ASB595VD by armed men sometime in April 2026 in Asaba, Delta State.

“Following the arrest of the first suspect, Nwakpa Friday, aged 38, and the recovery of the stolen tricycle at Old Road, Nkpor, operatives subsequently apprehended four other suspected members of the robbery syndicate, namely Sylvester Nteshi, aged 53; Nwuzor Livinus, aged 35; Mgbom Uche, aged 27; and Chiweuba Chukwudi, aged 42.

“The suspects and the recovered tricycle are currently in Police custody, while investigation is ongoing to establish the individual roles of the suspects and apprehend other members of the syndicate still at large,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Ama, commended the operatives for their professionalism, intelligence-led approach and prompt response.

The CP reiterated the command’s commitment to sustained intelligence-led operations, strategic deployment of technology and coordinated operational pressure against kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other forms of violent crime across the state. (The PUNCH)