From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Anambra State Police Command on Friday presented her bi-weekly security report, as it presented her outstanding achievements for the two weeks under review.
The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu(CP) said that the review was a manifestation of the Command’s commitment to keeping residents informed about the evolving security situation in the State.
CP Orutugu said that the Command has in the two weeks under review recorded significant breakthroughs, given the operational support from sister agencies, Anambra State Vigilantes and Other Security Operatives through sustained patrols and targeted security operations, four kidnapped victims including a Catholic reverend father were rescued and arrested over ten suspects.
He said that the operatives also recovered were ten arms of assorted brands, sixteen expended cartridges and forty-six live ammunition, four vehicles and other incriminating items even as he pointed out that three of the recovered cars have been released to the owners.
CP Orutugu said further, “On March 23rd, 2025, a Joint Security team comprising the Police, Military and other security operatives secured the release of Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona at Ihiala. The priest who was rescued unharmed, was abducted at a fuel station in Ichida where a joint security force in an ensuing gun duel with the armed criminals operating in an unregistered white Lexus SUV subdued the criminals and rescued him.
“Also, on 22nd March 2025 by 7.20 am rescued three kidnapped victims along Onitsha/Owerri Express Road, Ozubulu. The victims were rushed to the hospital by the joint security team following various degrees of injury already inflicted on them by the criminals. The victims are currently responding to treatment and have been debriefed by the Police and operations are ongoing for possible arrest of the assailants.
“On the same date 22nd March 2025, Police Operatives attached to the Obosi division on intelligent-led patrol along the Obosi /Nkpor expressway arrested On kosiso Okonwko ‘M’ and recovered one Berreta pistol. The Suspect confessed to being a member of Aye Confertanity.
“Similarly, the Command acting on complaints to nip in the bud all incidents of robbery of phones and personal belongings of innocent road users along Club Road Awka popularly known as Abakaliki Street, Police Operatives attached to the Special Anti-cult Unit Enugwu Ukwu in the early hours of 18th March 2025, arrested one Chibuike Ozoekwem ‘M’ 22 years and Favour Patrick ‘F’ 19 years respectively in an uncompleted building at Onwurah Street, Awka.
“The Operatives recovered one pump action gun, sixteen (16) pieces of expended cartridges, a battle Axe, and two suspected stolen phones.
“Subsequently, a victim identified one of the recovered phones and stated that she was robbed on the 13th of March, 2025 at gunpoint by four armed men along the said Club Road. The Police Operatives have expanded the investigation aimed at arresting other fleeing gang members.
“Recently, on 26th March 2025 by 5.48 pm, a Police surveillance team from the B Division on a Stop and Search along Book Foundation Ifite Awka intercepted a tricycle with three passengers and the driver. One of the passengers acting suspiciously was searched and the Operatives recovered one locally made Beretta pistol.
“The suspect was later identified as Somtochukwu Okoye a native of Umuike Village, Awka, who confessed to being a member of the Junior Viking secret cult, mentioned that the gun belonged to one Augustine Okafor aka ABOY, a native of Ore village, Amansea who is already in police custody over a case of unlawful possession of a firearm.
“In a similar development, on 27th March 2025, by 3.05 pm the Operatives from the same B Division while on Stop and Search along Dynamo junction, Ifite Awka arrested one Richard Onwugbufo of Ugbulu village Oraifite and recovered one Beretta pistol with three live ammunition.”
CP Orutugu said all the suspects involved would be charged to court on the conclusion of the investigation
He also felicitated with Muslim community on the successful completion of Ramadan fasting and wish them happy Idel-Fitir.
The Anambra State CP said that the Police as the lead agency in internal security, will continue to work in synergy with the military, other security agencies and local vigilante groups to enhance operational capacity, security dominance and tactical efficiency in ensuring the safety and security of all residents.
The Police Command also sympathized with the victims of the Main Market fire incident at a warehouse located at Ifejirika by Nwangene in the early hours of Friday and stated that the incident could be avoided if necessary precautionary measures were adhered to.
The CP however noted that no life was lost even as he expressed the appreciation of the support of the Fire Service agency and good-spirited individuals in making sure that the fire was put off.
He said that police operatives have taken over the scene to investigate the cause of the fire and to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation to commit crimes in the area.