The Anambra State Police Command has successfully rescued two individuals who were kidnapped in Amorka Village, Uli, within the Ihiala Local Government Area.
The victims were abducted on Sunday at around 2 p.m., when armed assailants intercepted their vehicle on the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway. The kidnappers forced the victims into another car before fleeing the scene.
In a statement released on Saturday, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson for the Anambra State Police, confirmed the rescue and commended the efforts of a joint security team that included police officers from the Uli Divisional Headquarters and members of the Uli Vigilante group.
Ikenga revealed that during the operation, the team recovered an array of weapons, including seven pump-action guns, seven live cartridges, three handcuffs, a cutlass, an axe, a dagger, and other items.
“The Anambra State Police Command, while extending Easter greetings to Anambra citizens, has intensified security patrols to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors during the holiday and beyond,” Ikenga said.
The successful operation took place after an extensive search on April 18, 2025, when the criminals abandoned the victims’ vehicle, which was later recovered by the police.
In a separate development on April 17, officers from the Fegge Divisional Headquarters intercepted a suspicious bus in Onitsha, discovering a concealed bag containing five pump-action guns, eight live cartridges, and two handcuffs. The arms and vehicle were seized, and investigations are underway to identify the culprits.
Additionally, a 25-year-old suspect, Israel Akachukwu, was arrested in Nkpor, Idemili North LGA, also on April 17. Police discovered two pump-action guns, live cartridges, a cutlass, a yellow axe, and a dagger in his possession. Akachukwu admitted to being a member of the Vikings Confraternity and is assisting authorities in tracking down other gang members.
Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, has urged the public to remain vigilant and law-abiding, especially during the Easter season. He called for collective prayers for peace and security in the state and the country.