In Anambra State, the police have recently arrested five individuals involved in robbery, kidnapping, and cult-related activities. On December 5, 2023, police operatives attached to the Rapid Response/Anti-Kidnap Squad, in collaboration with Obosi vigilante men, apprehended two suspects: Samson Ubon, 31, of Makwumi village, Obosi, and Efobi Ekene, 29, of Ugamuma village, Obosi. Upon interrogation, they confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping of Obioma Godswill from Delta State. They revealed that they typically lured their victims using Facebook accounts with pictures of attractive women, leading them to their hideout where they detained them and collected ransom before releasing them. The suspects are assisting operatives in the arrest of other gang members.

Additionally, on December 5, 2023, at about 12:35hrs, police operatives attached to Neni Division, in collaboration with Adazi-Nnukwu vigilante, while on a routine patrol along Adazi-Nnukwu town hall road, intercepted and arrested one Chukwuebuka Sunday Oshine, 22, of Umudim village, Nobi, Idemili South LGA, while another suspect fled. A bag containing tools such as spanners used for vandalizing EEDC transformers was recovered. Investigation is in progress.

Furthermore, on December 5, 2023, at about 19:00hrs, at Ishiaku village, Isuofia, Aguata LGA, one Benjamin Osimeke, a commercial motorcyclist, was en route home when a three-man syndicate, suspected to specialize in robbing citizens of their motorcycles, flagged him down under the pretext of seeking assistance. They brandished a locally made pistol and demanded his motorcycle. Osimeke raised an alarm that attracted a joint patrol team of police and vigilante. The hoodlums, upon sighting the team, fled, abandoning the firearm. Investigation is ongoing to track them.

These arrests are part of a broader operation by the Anambra State Police Command, which, between December 1, 2023, and January 9, 2024, led to the apprehension of 30 suspects, including 12 for kidnapping, nine for armed robbery, six for cultism, and three for insurgency. The operations also resulted in the rescue of two kidnapped victims and the recovery of 11 stolen vehicles, 12 firearms, and 40 live ammunition.