This was disclosed in a statement, by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Edafe Bright, on Tuesday.
The statement partly read, “On 31/10/2023 at about 2217hrs, the DPO Orerokpe, CSP Paul Oboware, received a distress call about a suspected kidnap of one man (name withheld) by three armed men. The kidnappers later contacted the family demanding Five Million Naira ransom.
“Upon receipt of the report, the DPO swiftly mobilised and led detectives to the scene of the incident, combed all adjoining streets and bushes in search of hoodlums, to possibly rescue the victim.
“The victim was later released after an undisclosed ransom was paid.”
The statement added that the DPO continued investigations on the incident which paid off on March 5th, 2024, when one Peter Idogor (24) and Emmanuel Sunday (19) from Evwreni Community were apprehended through a technology-aided investigation as a search for the remaining gang members is ongoing.
The suspects were also said to have been identified by the victim.
According to the statement, in another operation on March 6, 2024, while acting on a tip about cult activity, the CP-DECOY Squad raided a hotel near Asaba’s Federal College Junction.
Upon seeing the officers, some of the suspects fled, while four were apprehended while hiding in the ceiling.
The statement partly read, “Upon sighting the operatives, the cultists immediately took to their heels, dispersing towards different directions but were given a relentless chase by the operatives, during which four of the suspected cultists who were hiding inside the ceiling, were arrested.
“The suspects, all male residents of Asaba, Delta State, include the following: Chigozie Edwin, a 28yrs native of Akpuoga Village in Ujodo LGA of Enugu State; James Prince Chukwuebuka, a 20yrs native of Effiom Village in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State; Harmony Mkemjika Ohanebum, a 30yrs native of Okija Town in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State; and Garba Jubril, a 27yrs native of Kogmbotō LGA, Kano State.
“Following the arrest of these suspects, a thorough search was conducted, and two Barretta Pistols with two rounds of Live Ammunition, a locally made cut-to-size gun with one live cartridge, were recovered from the ceiling.
“Manhunt for the other fleeing members of the gang is ongoing.”
Reacting to the arrests, the state’s Police Commissioner, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, in the statement instructed officers of the command to spare no effort in bringing criminals to account for their actions, warning that engaging in any sort of criminal activities in the state has dire consequences.
The PUNCH reported in January that the Anambra State Police Command arrested about 30 suspects, including kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, and hoodlums who have been terrorising the state in recent times.
