Anambra police comb kidnappers’ hideout, get well arms

The Anambra State Police Command said it has recovered an AK47 rifle with two magazines loaded with 50 rounds of ammunition from a kidnapper’s hideout near the Awgbu community in the Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, adding that the weapon was promptly rendered safe and taken into custody for further investigation.

Ikenga added that joint security operatives on the trail of the suspected kidnappers carried out the operations around the bushes in the area.

He said, “The security operatives combed the bushes after smashing a notorious kidnapping gang on Friday, March 8, 2024, at Awgbu in Orumba North LGA. The operatives have intensified the manhunt for the kidnappers who escaped from the scene of the shootout.”

According Online had reported that the operatives of the Anambra State Police Command, while on patrol on Friday, intercepted a kidnapping gang and rescued four men already abducted by the “dare-devil kidnappers.”

The kidnappers, who escaped from the scene after a shootout with security operatives, were taking their victims to an unknown destination before they were intercepted.

Ikenga, who disclosed the development, said the police operatives, while on patrol and snap-checking with the local vigilantes, intercepted the kidnappers along the Amagu-Awgbu Road in Orumba North Local Government Area as they were heading towards an exit route from the state.

He said, “Following the smashing of a notorious kidnapping gang on the night of Friday, March 8, 2024, at Awgbu in Orumba North LGA, police operatives have intensified the manhunt for the kidnappers who escaped from the scene of the shootout.

“While combing the surrounding bushes on Saturday morning, police and the local vigilante recovered a loaded AK-47 rifle with double magazines containing 50 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. The weapon was promptly rendered safe and taken into custody for further investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, praised the diligence of the joint team and promised to reward it for its commitment to public safety.

“Meanwhile, the command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit at Awkuzu has taken over the case for proper investigation as directed by the Commissioner of Police.”

He added that the commander of the unit has assured that it will leave no stone unturned until the kidnapping suspects are brought to justice.

“Meanwhile, the four male victims rescued from the kidnappers last Friday have all been reunited with their joyous families,” he added.

On March 9, the state command said it intercepted a kidnapping gang and rescued four men already abducted by the “dare-devil kidnappers.”

According Online reports that there have been incessant cases of kidnapping in the state and other parts of Nigeria.

Just in February, some yet-to-be-identified gunmen allegedly abducted and killed a Nnewi, Anambra State-based lawyer, Jude Oguejiofor.