The Anambra State Police command has apprehended a group of suspected kidnappers, shedding light on their unconventional method of luring victims. Aderemi Adeoye, the Commissioner of Police in the state, disclosed this information during a press conference held in Awka on Monday, Jan. 8.

Commissioner Adeoye revealed that the command’s operatives successfully arrested approximately 30 individuals suspected of various criminal activities between December 1, 2023, and the present date. The breakdown of the arrests includes 12 suspects involved in kidnapping, 9 for alleged armed robbery, 6 for cultism, and 3 for alleged insurgency across the state.

In the course of these operations, law enforcement recovered 11 vehicles, seized 12 firearms, and confiscated 40 rounds of ammunition from the apprehended suspects.

Despite these achievements, Commissioner Adeoye also lamented the loss of two police personnel from the Enugu command, who fell victim to a gang of assailants at Uga Roundabout in Aguata Local Government area of the state. However, the police managed to track down the culprits to their camp in the Ogboji forest, resulting in the elimination of two criminals involved in the attack.

Further details from the police report highlighted the arrest of Emmanuel Orjiakor, a notorious armed robber and kidnapper from Oba, who sustained gunshot injuries during a confrontation with Anambra Vigilante Group operatives.

One notable case involved the arrest of Obinna Ekwunife, 27, on Dec. 1, in connection with the kidnapping of Emmanuel Tobechukwu. The victim had transferred N9 million to a point-of-sale (POS) operator as ransom. During the investigation, it was revealed that the suspects, including Ekwunife, confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping of Obioma Godswill from Delta. Astonishingly, they disclosed that their modus operandi involved luring victims through Facebook accounts featuring pictures of attractive women. Once lured to their hideout, the victims were held captive until a ransom was paid for their release.

This revelation underscores the increasing adaptability and sophistication of criminal tactics, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance and security measures in the face of evolving criminal methodologies

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