Anambra Police Command Arrests Two Kidnap Suspects, Harvests Rifles, Ammunition

Joint security operatives in Anambra State working under Operation Udo Ga Achi have arrested three kidnap suspects, including two men and a woman.

A statement by the Anambra State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that the suspects were linked to the kidnapping of a victim for whom N17 million was paid to secure his release.

The statement, however, clarified that although two of the suspects were not directly involved in the abduction, one is a native doctor who allegedly fortifies the criminals and stores their operational weapons, while the woman is said to supply the gang with critical information.

The statement read: “Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad/Anti-kidnapping Unit on 13th April 2025 arrested one Celestine Onuyia, male, 52 and Jacinta Okolo Udenka, female, 45, both residents of Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area.

“During a search in their house, one pump-action gun, seven single-barrel Dane guns and 28 live cartridges were recovered. Similarly, the operatives acting on information earlier extracted from the suspects during their interrogation recovered two more AK-47 rifles and two empty magazines in their criminal hideout at Omasi, Ayamelum LGA.

“The operatives have since been investigating a kidnap incident that occurred at Nnewi in July 2024, where a ransom of Seventeen million, Five hundred thousand Naira only (N17,500,000) was collected before the victim was released from their captivity.

“Information also revealed that Mr Celestine is allegedly a native doctor who provides criminal charms and keeps weapons for the gang. At the same time, Mrs Jacinta gets information about their victims before they execute their evil plans.”

The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, as assuring the public of the command’s determination to pursue the case to a logical conclusion until all suspects are apprehended.

“This measure is critical to the ongoing efforts to prevent further criminal activities in the state,” he said.