Juliana Francis
The Anambra State Police Command has intensified efforts in weeding crimes and criminals out of the state, leading to a harvest of armed robbers and kidnappers.
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said that the great feats of the Police in the state were achieved through synergy with sister security agencies and vigilante groups, coupled with the mandate and declaration by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, that everything should be done to rid Anambra State of all criminal elements.
In fact, the Anambra State Security Forces on Sunday the 7th of May, 2023 effectively neutralised a gang of kidnappers terrorising citizens along the Nkpor-Umuoji-Ideani Road.
The kidnappers who had hitherto terrorised innocent citizens along that axis paid with their lives when Security Forces acting on intelligence gathering swooped on the areas and after an intense gun battle, killed four of the criminals.
It will be recalled that Soludo has repeatedly warned that there was no space for any criminalities in Anambra State. Hence zero tolerance has been declared by the Governor on any form of criminal activities in the state.
The Governor on his assumption of office within a short period of time successfully reduced kidnapping and other criminalities in the State.
Soludo has received commendations from Ndi Anambra for reclaiming the State from the firm grip of criminals who had turned criminalities into a profitable enterprise.
It was gathered that those arrested are currently in detention. They are helping the Security Agencies in their investigation to unravel the whereabouts of other kidnappers who are on the run.
After successfully neutralizing the kidnappers, the Security Operatives recovered a Lexus Jeep and some sophisticated weapons including charms tied around their waists.
Similarly, the Anambra Vigilante Group in collaboration with the Police, following the charge from Soludo, warned that criminals operating in that axis of Nkpor-Umuoji-Ideani should desist or be ready to meet their Waterloo.
Speaking further on the achievements, Ikenga said: “Following credible information to the Police Command from the residents of Anambra, there are so many joint operations ongoing with the security forces, especially the vigilantes aimed at sustaining and enhancing safety in the State.
“These joint operations yielded a major positive development on 7th of May by 8:45 pm, the operatives while on routine patrol along Usmusiome Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area intercepted a gang of four operating in an unregistered black Lexus SUV, recovered two locally made explosives, one AK47 rifle, nine live 7.62 ammunition, four AK47 magazines, charms and other incriminating items.
“The operatives during the gun duel with the criminals demobilized two of the gang members, while two others escape. Efforts are already emplaced to arrest other fleeing gang members.
“Also earlier on the same date by 4:PM, the operatives at Azu Ogbunike Oyi LGA arrested another gang of armed robbery and vandals in the act, vandalising a truck suspected to have been stolen.
“The suspects are one Nwusulor Fidelis, 51, Iloegunam Amobi, 44, Solomon Akpagu, 51and Chidiebere Innocent, 28. They all confessed to the crime and they are currently helping the police with information on other syndicate members that dispossess innocent drivers of their trucks before bringing them to their criminal hideout at Azu Ogbunike.”
