In a significant breakthrough, the Nigerian Police, in collaboration with the Anambra Vigilante Group, recently arrested two suspects in a dramatic raid on a native doctor’s shrine in Uru, Abagana, located in the Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The arrested individuals, Ikechukwu Okafor, aged 30, and Nweze Chijindu, aged 38, are accused of being involved in a series of armed robbery and kidnapping operations. The raid followed critical information provided by a recently rescued kidnap victim, which led security forces to the shrine, where the two suspects were detained.
The arrest took place on Friday evening, after a harrowing kidnapping incident was reported near Abagana Girls Secondary School. According to a statement released by SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Anambra State Police Command, the victim was freed following a coordinated effort by the joint security team. The victim’s testimony was pivotal in uncovering the criminal activities of the suspects. The security team’s swift action resulted in the discovery of not only the suspects but also several key items related to the crimes, including a pump-action rifle, the stolen vehicle of the victim, ropes, a horsewhip, and other materials typically associated with the criminal activities taking place at the shrine.
The statement revealed further details regarding the case, explaining that preliminary investigations indicated that the victim had been lured to the shrine by a phone call from Sunday Nwakanze, one of the suspects who is still on the run. Upon arrival, the victim was ambushed at gunpoint, stripped of valuables, and forcefully taken to the shrine. Once there, the victim was bound with ropes and his mouth was sealed to prevent him from making noise or attracting attention. This revelation highlights the brutal tactics employed by the suspects to intimidate and silence their victims.
The two detained suspects, Ikechukwu Okafor and Nweze Chijindu, have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crime. They are currently cooperating with law enforcement, providing valuable information that could lead to the capture of the remaining members of the gang. Authorities have identified two other individuals—Supuluchukwu Nweze and Sunday Nwakanze—who are still at large, and a manhunt has been launched to apprehend them. The police are working diligently to dismantle the criminal network that appears to be operating out of the shrine and targeting vulnerable individuals in the area.
The statement from the Anambra State Police Command emphasized that the ongoing investigation is a top priority for the force, with efforts being made to track down all those responsible for these heinous acts. The police have also reassured residents that they remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all people living in the state, promising that such criminal activities will not go unpunished.
In the wake of the raid, local authorities have expressed their determination to continue strengthening partnerships with community-based security organizations like the Anambra Vigilante Group. This collaboration has proven essential in addressing the rising tide of crime in the region, and officials are hopeful that this operation will send a strong message to criminal groups that law enforcement will not tolerate such activities.
The case is still under investigation, and the police are urging anyone with further information related to the suspects or the activities at the shrine to come forward. The authorities also reassured the public that they would remain vigilant and continue their efforts to combat criminal syndicates operating within Anambra and neighboring regions.
