The Anambra State Police Command has rescued four kidnapped victims, including the Chief Medical Director of Crown Hospital, Nkpor, following a tactical operation in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, during which one police officer was killed and two others injured.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, disclosed the development on Wednesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Awka, the state capital.
According to the commissioner, the victims were rescued on May 10, 2026, after spending three days in captivity.
Police operatives engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun battle during the operation, leading to the death of two suspects and the recovery of arms, ammunition and vehicles.
READ ALSO: Police Rescues Kidnapped Victim in Gombe State
Items recovered included a locally fabricated pistol, 100 rounds of live General Purpose Machine Gun ammunition, 23 expended rounds of ammunition and three vehicles, among them a silver Lexus RX 350 belonging to one of the victims.
Orutugu said the operation came at a significant cost, with one police operative losing his life in the line of duty, while two others sustained gunshot injuries and are receiving medical treatment.
“The officer paid the supreme sacrifice in active service to the nation. The command honours his courage, gallantry and dedication to duty,” the commissioner said.
He said that the Anambra State Government had pledged support for the family of the deceased officer and would also cover the medical expenses of the injured personnel.
The commissioner said police operatives later secured the area after residents attempted to set ablaze a building allegedly linked to the kidnappers.
While condemning the use of private properties for criminal activities, Orutugu called for a review of the state’s approach to such buildings.
Rather than demolishing them, he suggested that properties linked to criminal operations could be converted into police posts or residential facilities for security personnel.
“We want to appeal to government to stop demolishing such buildings. They can instead be designated as police posts or residences for police operatives,” he said.
The police commissioner also highlighted other recent security operations across the state, including a clearance operation conducted on May 7 in Owerre-Ezukala, Orumba South Local Government Area, following intelligence reports that suspected members of a proscribed armed group were attempting to regroup.
According to him, security operatives recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun with about 2,000 rounds of live ammunition, two fabricated rocket launchers, improvised explosive devices, pump-action guns, hand grenades and other weapons during the raid.
Police said one suspect, identified as Nnamdi Nkemdilim Ogbonna, 37, alleged to be a senior member of the outlawed group, is in custody.
In a separate development, police confirmed the arrest of a driver attached to an Anglican bishop in neighbouring Delta State over allegations of conspiracy in the killing of his employer and the theft of the cleric’s sport utility vehicle.
Orutugu said the suspect and an alleged accomplice were arrested in Anambra while attempting to sell the stolen Toyota Land Cruiser.
He noted that investigations were ongoing and further details would be made public after the conclusion of preliminary inquiries.
Child Trafficking Activities
The command also announced the arrest of a suspected cult member linked to several killings in Obosi and neighbouring communities, as well as the rescue of 12 children during an operation targeting alleged child trafficking activities in Aguata Local Government Area.
The children, aged between one and 20 years, included seven girls and five boys.
Orutugu reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping, cult-related violence, child trafficking and other crimes across Anambra State.
He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.
