Anambra: Security operatives arrest 2 kidnap suspects, recover guns, live cartridges

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By Madu Obi

The joint security operatives working under Anambra's Operation Udo Ga Achi have arrested three kidnap suspects, consisting of two men and a woman.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said in a statement that the suspects were linked to the kidnap of a victim, in which N17 million was paid by his family to regain freedom.

The statement, however, stated that the two suspects were not directly linked, adding that while one is a native doctor who fortifies the criminals and keeps their operational weapons, the woman supplies the information with which the gang operates.

"The Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad/Anti-kidnapping Unit have arrested one Celestine Onuyia aged 52 years and Jacinta Okolo Udenka aged 45 years all residents of Oba, Idemili South local government area.

During a search in their house, one pump action gun, seven single barrel dane guns and twenty-eight live cartridges were recovered.

Similarly, the Operatives acting on information earlier extracted from the suspects during their interrogation today, 20th April 2025, recovered two more AK47 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 (#17,500,000) was collected before the victim was released from their captivity.

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

The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu has assured of the command's willingness to follow up the cases to logical conclusion.