Tragedy and Triumph: Anambra Police Rescue Victims, Lose Officer
Officer Falls, Victims Freed in Fierce Anambra Anti-Kidnap Operation
Tragedy and Triumph: Anambra Police Rescue Victims, Lose Officer
Anambra Rescue Mission Tu
The Anambra State Police Command has lost one officer, while two others sustained serious injuries during a gun battle with suspected kidnappers in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, disclosed this during a press briefing held at the command headquarters in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area on Wednesday.
Orutugu said operatives of the command successfully rescued four kidnapped victims, including the Chief Medical Director of Crown Hospital, Nkpor, following an intense tactical operation carried out on May 10, 2026.
According to him, the victims had spent three days in captivity before security operatives stormed the kidnappers’ hideout in Obosi, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.
The police commissioner revealed that two suspected kidnappers were neutralised during the operation, while several arms, ammunition and vehicles were recovered from the gang.
Items recovered included one locally made pistol, 100 rounds of live General Purpose Machine Gun ammunition, 23 expended rounds of ammunition, and three vehicles, including a silver Lexus RX 350 belonging to one of the rescued victims.
He, however, noted that the operation came at a heavy cost, as one police operative lost his life in the line of duty, while two others sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving treatment.
“The officer paid the supreme sacrifice in active service to the nation. The command honours his courage, gallantry and dedication to duty,” Orutugu stated.
He added that the Anambra State Government had pledged to support the family of the deceased officer and offset the medical bills of the injured personnel.
The commissioner further disclosed that the police later cordoned off the building where the victims were rescued following attempts by angry residents to set the property ablaze.
Orutugu also highlighted other operational breakthroughs recorded by the command in recent days.
He said operatives on May 7 carried out strategic clearance operations in Owerre-Ezukala, Orumba South Local Government Area, following intelligence reports that suspected members of a proscribed secessionist group were attempting to regroup in the area.
According to him, one Nnamdi Nkemdilim Ogbonna, aged 37, identified as a suspected top commander of the outlawed group, had earlier been arrested.
He said security operatives recovered one General Purpose Machine Gun with about 2,000 rounds of live chain ammunition, two fabricated rocket launchers with 25 propellers, 10 improvised explosive devices, one locally made Beretta pistol, two pump-action guns, and three hand grenades during the raid.
Other items recovered included 10 rounds of K2 live ammunition, a gas cylinder, and a black Ecolac box.
“The operatives also dislodged the armed criminals and sustained operational dominance in the area to prevent any regrouping,” he added.
The police command also announced the arrest of a suspected cultist, Favour Izunna, alias “Njoku,” aged 22, who is alleged to be a member of the Vikings Confraternity.
Orutugu alleged that the suspect confessed to participating in several killings in Obosi and neighbouring communities, including the deaths of Emeka Chukwuka and Chinelo Onyeka.
The suspect’s arrest, according to the police, led to the recovery of one pump-action gun, seven live cartridges, one locally made Beretta pistol, and five rounds of 7.5mm live ammunition.
The command further disclosed that five suspects had been remanded over alleged sexual offences and child abuse cases in Awka and surrounding communities.
Among them, the police said, is a father accused of having unlawful sexual relations with his biological daughter in Oko.
In another development, the command said operatives arrested a female suspect, Chinazo Winners Anyasirikwu, over alleged child trafficking activities in Aguata Local Government Area.
The police said the operation led to the rescue of 12 children — seven girls and five boys aged between one and 20 years — believed to be victims of child trafficking and child stealing.
Orutugu reiterated the command’s commitment to sustaining operations against kidnapping, cultism, child trafficking, and other violent crimes across the state.
