By
Emeka Chiaghanam
A daring rescue mission by operatives of the Anambra State
Police Command ended in both triumph and tragedy after a police officer was
killed and two others badly injured during a fierce gun battle with suspected
kidnappers in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area.
The operation, which led to the rescue of four kidnapped
victims, including the Chief Medical Director of Crown Hospital, Nkpor, exposed
once again the growing dangers security personnel face daily while battling
violent crimes across the state.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Ikioye Orutugu,
disclosed details of the operation on Wednesday during a press briefing held at
the police headquarters in Amawbia near Awka.
According to the police chief, the victims had spent three
painful days in captivity before intelligence reports helped operatives trace
the hideout of the kidnappers in Obosi on May 10, 2026.
What followed, he said, was a tense and bloody exchange of
gunfire between the armed gang and security personnel.
The police eventually overpowered the suspects and safely
rescued the captives, but not without heavy losses on both sides.
Two suspected kidnappers were killed during the operation,
while several dangerous weapons and vehicles were recovered from the scene.
Among the items seized were a locally made pistol, 100
rounds of live General Purpose Machine Gun ammunition, 23 expended rounds of
ammunition and three vehicles, including a silver Lexus RX 350 belonging to one
of the rescued victims.
Despite the successful rescue, the mood at the command
headquarters turned emotional as the police commissioner announced the death of
one of the operatives involved in the mission.
Orutugu described the slain officer as a courageous man who
died serving the nation with honour.
“The officer paid the supreme sacrifice in active service to
the nation. The command honours his courage, gallantry and dedication to duty,”
he said solemnly.
Two other officers who sustained gunshot wounds during the
encounter are currently receiving treatment and are said to be responding
positively.
The commissioner added that the Anambra State Government had
promised to stand by the family of the fallen officer and also assist in
settling the medical bills of the injured personnel.
Following the operation, angry residents reportedly
attempted to burn down the building where the kidnapped victims were rescued,
believing it had become a criminal base for kidnappers.
However, security operatives quickly moved in and sealed off
the property to prevent destruction.
Orutugu suggested that instead of confiscating such
buildings completely, authorities should consider converting them into police stations
or residential quarters for officers.
The police boss also used the briefing to reveal several
other breakthroughs recently recorded by the command in its ongoing crackdown
on violent crimes across Anambra State.
He explained that one of the biggest security concerns
facing the command was the tendency of criminal gangs to regroup after some
members had been arrested or neutralised.
As part of efforts to stop such regrouping, operatives
carried out clearance operations on May 7 in Owerre-Ezukala, located in Orumba
South Local Government Area.
The operation followed intelligence reports suggesting that
suspected members of a banned separatist group were attempting to reorganise
themselves in the area.
According to Orutugu, a suspected top commander of the
outlawed group, identified as 37-year-old Nnamdi Nkemdilim Ogbonna, had earlier
been arrested.
Security forces later stormed the area and recovered a
frightening cache of weapons and explosives.
The recovered items included one General Purpose Machine Gun
loaded with about 2,000 rounds of live chain ammunition, two locally fabricated
rocket launchers with 25 propellers, 10 improvised explosive devices, one
locally made Beretta pistol, two pump-action guns and three hand grenades.
Police also recovered 10 rounds of K2 live ammunition, a gas
cylinder and a black Ecolac box during the raid.
Orutugu said the operation successfully forced the armed
suspects out of the area while security operatives maintained dominance to stop
them from returning.
In another major development, the command announced the
arrest of a suspected cult member identified as Favour Izunna, also known as
“Njoku.”
The 22-year-old suspect is alleged to be a member of the
Vikings Confraternity, a cult group long linked with violent clashes and
killings in parts of the state.
According to the police commissioner, the suspect confessed
to involvement in several deadly attacks in Obosi and neighbouring communities.
The alleged crimes include the killings of two persons
identified as Emeka Chukwuka and Chinelo Onyeka.
Police said weapons recovered from the suspect included one
pump-action gun, seven live cartridges, one locally made Beretta pistol and
five rounds of 7.5mm live ammunition.
The command also revealed disturbing cases involving sexual
offences and child abuse currently under investigation in Awka and nearby
communities.
Five suspects have already been remanded in connection with
the offences.
Among the suspects is a father accused of having unlawful
sexual relations with his biological daughter in Oko, a case which has sparked
outrage among residents.
Meanwhile, police operatives also arrested a woman
identified as Chinazo Winners Anyasirikwu over alleged child trafficking
activities in Aguata Local Government Area.
The operation led to the rescue of 12 children believed to
be victims of child trafficking and child stealing.
The children included seven girls and five boys aged between
one and 20 years.
Orutugu assured residents that the command would continue to
intensify operations against kidnapping, cultism, child trafficking and other
violent crimes threatening peace and security across Anambra State.
He also appealed to communities to work closely with
security agencies by providing timely and useful information capable of helping
the police stop criminals before they strike.
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