The Anambra State Police Command has announced significant breakthroughs in combating criminal activities across the state, including the elimination of key masterminds behind the 2024 attack on Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives in Uruagu Nnewi.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday in Awka, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, revealed that over 300 suspects have been arrested for various crimes, with 30 convictions secured and several ongoing trials.
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The operations also led to the rescue of 14 kidnapped victims and the recovery of substantial criminal weaponry and equipment, including:
- 43 unexploded Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
- Over 100 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and locally made pistols
- 2,937 rounds of ammunition
- 40 stolen vehicles and multiple motorcycles
High-Profile Arrests and Recoveries
Among those arrested was a notorious kidnapper known as Ablo, who had been terrorizing the Ihiala area in Anambra, as well as parts of Enugu and Delta States.
The Command also dismantled several criminal camps, including a prominent one in Nimo, Njikoka LGA, which yielded 19 unexploded IEDs.
The operations highlighted other achievements:
- Rescue of two female victims of sexual assault.
- Arrest of an 18-year-old cultist in possession of an AK-47 rifle hidden in a building in Awka.
- Apprehension of suspects involved in the murder and burial of their brother in a shallow grave at Oko.
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Child Rescue Operations
The police rescued three children allegedly stolen from Bauchi State and sold in Anambra. Four suspects, including an illegal foster mother, were apprehended. Efforts are underway to reunite one identified child with their parents.
Community Engagement
The Command has undertaken security advocacy visits and formed a Community Policing Committee to enhance public collaboration in crime prevention.
Appeal for Public Support
SP Ikenga urged the public to assist in identifying the rescued children and report suspicious activities to aid ongoing investigations.
The Anambra State Police Command reiterated its commitment to maintaining security and ensuring justice for victims of crime.