.……Parades 13 suspects, others
By Uzoh Mike
Anambra state Police Command has disclosed that a total number of 325 criminals were arrested in 2024 for sundry crimes and criminal activities, while 14 kidnap victims were rescued by security operatives across the state.
Addressing newsmen at the Command headquarters, Amawbia, yesterday, while parading 13 suspected criminals at the police Command headquarters Amawbia, Anambra state, the State Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam, told newsmen that the briefing covered cases recorded from January 2024 to January 2025, adding that investigations were still on going in some of the cases.
Giving a breakdown of events and locations the operations were carried out, Itam said, “The Command rescued four (4) children allegedly stolen from their parents in Bauchi State and sold to another in the State.
“The Operatives also arrested four suspects including an illegal foster mother…the suspects confessed to the crime and narrated the role that each of them played.
“One of the children has been identified and efforts are already emplaced to unite the child with his parents, adding, “Our plea is that people should stop the idea of buying children from the streets…we warn criminals who engage in stealing children claiming they were adopted to stop such criminal act forthwith or face the arm of the law.
The C P urged members of the press to assist in posting pictures of these innocent stolen children aged between 2 and five years for possible identification and unification with their parents.
He also disclosed that at Oruagu in Nnewi area, one Miracle (18 years old), was arrested while leading hoodlums to execute a hatched criminal act.
“Miracle was apprehended but his other gang members escaped. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and led the Operatives to an apartment at Ubuofu Awka, where they hid the recovered rifle in the roof of their house.
“We have suspects that murdered their brother and buried him in a shallow grave in a compound at Oko. The deceased (late Chibuzor Okeke), was accused of burglary and stealing. His brother Chidiebere Okeke and his cousin, Emebo Ogochukwu caught him and beat him to stupor. As a result, Chibuzor became unconsciously and was rushed to the hospital where the doctor confirmed him dead.
“The two suspects in order to cover up for the incident, dug a shallow grave in their compound and buried Chibuzor”.
Itam among other disclosures commended the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, traditional rulers and President Generals of various communities and members of the public for partnering with the police in their fight against criminalities in Anambra.
However, the CP stressed that the operations were carried out across the state by a combined team of the joint task force team, including the police, Nigeria Army, Navy, Anambra State Vigilante Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to effect the arrests.
