Metro

Three Rescued As Police Foil Kidnap Plot In Anambra

Published

3 months ago

July 16, 2025

The Anambra State Police Command has rescued three victims in separate operations across the state after it foiled a kidnapping attempt.

During the process, the police also arrested a notorious member of what they described as “a proscribed armed separatist group” and recovered arms and other incriminating items.

The spokesman for the state command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development in a press statement on Tuesday, said the police operatives carried out the exercise in a series of coordinated operations in different parts of the state in the early hours of Tuesday.

Ikenga noted that in recent times, the command had continued to record major operational breakthroughs in its relentless efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, continues to record major operational breakthroughs in its relentless efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.

“In a series of coordinated operations across different parts of the state, police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, in the early hours of today (Tuesday), July 15, 2025, arrested one Gospel Ozioma Nneto, male, aged 31, aka “OZ,” a notorious leader of a proscribed armed separatist group.

“In another operation, the Divisional Police Officers of Nimo and Nteje, in collaboration with local vigilante operatives, successfully rescued three kidnapped victims held by suspected armed hoodlums. Items recovered from the operations include: One pump-action gun and one dagger.

“The arrested suspect is a known terrorist, kidnapper, and armed robber, and a confirmed member of the proscribed separatist group.

“During interrogation, he confessed to being a photographer for the group, operating from a camp known as “Mother Valley,” located in the Orsumohu-Orsu axis. He is currently undergoing further interrogation as discreet investigations continue to uncover his criminal network.”

He added that a joint security team comprising police operatives from Nimo Division and local vigilante members, acting on credible intelligence, searched forested areas between Oraukwu and Nimo communities in the evening of July 15, 2025.

“This led to the successful rescue of two female kidnap victims. The victims will be reunited with their families following necessary medical and psychological evaluations.

“In another breakthrough, on the evening of July 14, 2025, police operatives from the Nteje Division, responding to an attempted attack by two armed suspects, engaged the assailants in a gun duel.

“The operatives neutralised the armed hoodlums and recovered one pump-action gun, one dagger, and other incriminating items.”

Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal syndicates involved in these incidents.

According to the PPRO, “The command remains resolute in its mission to ensure the safety and security of all residents and visitors to Anambra State.”

Metro

Police Impound Vehicle With 387 Blocks Of Cannabis In Bauchi

Published

51 minutes ago

October 10, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi state Police Command says it has impounded a vehicle with nothing less than 387 blocks of suspected cannabis sativa after involving in an auto crash in the state.

Sani Omolori-Aliyu, the Commissioner of Police in the state, disclosed this on Friday while handing over the exhibits to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bauchi state Command.

According to him, the car and one other had a head-on collision in Wom village of Toro Local Government Area of the state on October 4, 2025 at about 11:30am.

“Initial reports from eyewitnesses and preliminary investigations indicate that the first vehicle, a white Toyota Corolla with registration number ABC-459LF, was operated by one Ali Muhammad, a 45-year-old resident of Nabardo Village.

“He was transporting the District Head of Nabardo, Suleiman Suleiman, aged 65, along with his family members as they travelled from Bauchi Metropolis to Nabardo Village.

“The second vehicle, another white Toyota Corolla with registration number GWA-155GW, was driven by an individual yet to be identified, who was travelling from Jos, Plateau State, towards Bauchi.

“It was reported that this driver attempted to overtake other vehicles without exercising adequate caution, resulting in a head-on collision with the first vehicle,” he said.

The Commissioner further explained that the occupants of both vehicles sustained varying degrees of injuries and were transported to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for medical care.

He said that the District Head suffered a fracture in his left leg and is currently receiving treatment with other victims while some have been discharged.

Omolori-Aliyu also revealed that in the aftermath of the incident, during the search at the scene, the detectives recovered several items in the damaged vehicle which included the 387 blocks of suspected cannabis.

The Commissioner, who explained that the command was in pursuit of the unidentified driver to ensure accountability and prompt legal action, encouraged anyone with information regarding the driver’s identity to come forward and assist in the investigation.

“The police are committed to diligently pursuing leads to identify the principal suspect.

“The Bauchi State Police Command is dedicated to maintaining peace and order in our community and urges the public to remain calm and cooperative throughout this process.

“We invite anyone with information that could aid in this investigation to contact us and we assure citizens that we are resolutely focused on ensuring justice is achieved,” he said.

While receiving the exhibits, Hussaini Umar, Deputy Commandant, NDLEA, appreciated the police for the cooperation and synergy and promised to work hand in hand to ensure that the driver and the owner were found.

Metro

Fake Revenue Agents Apprehended In Aba While Defrauding Residents

Published

5 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Editor

Abia State Harmonized Taskforce has apprehended four individuals impersonating as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for acts of extortion, intimidation, and illegal enforcement along the Port Harcourt Road axis of Aba and its environs.

They were nabbed on Thursday at Flyover junction around Ugwunagbo area through an operation authorized by the Aba Area Coordinator of ASHTF, Mr. Uche Wogu.

A statement issued by Miracle Chukwunenye, spokesperson of the Harmonized Task Force said that the agency received multiple complaints from market women, tricycle (Keke) operators, and traders about the unlawful activities of a group led by one Mr. Ahuama.

‎”Upon arrival, the Taskforce, in joint effort with the police, arrested Mr. Ahuama and three accomplices who were caught extorting money from unsuspecting traders and tricycle operators under the false pretense of being NURTW officials.

“Investigations revealed that the suspects had already impounded about twenty (20) tricycles earlier that morning and collected money from the owners before being intercepted,” Chukwunenye said.

‎He added that during the operation, the suspects resisted arrest and attacked Taskforce operatives and police officers, but they were eventually subdued and are now in custody.

Chukwunenye sensitized traders and transporters that Abia State operates a strict No-Cash-at-Hand revenue system, and as such, no government-authorized personnel is permitted to collect cash from citizens.