The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, said the command has arrested about 30 suspects, including kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists and hoodlums who have been terrorising the state in recent times.
Adeoye made this known at a press briefing at the police headquarters in Awka, on Monday, while parading some of the suspects and recovered items, adding that the arrests were made between December 1, 2023 to date.
He also disclosed that two abducted victims were rescued during different confrontations with criminals, while some police officers were also injured.
According to him, among the 30 suspects arrested were 12 kidnap suspects, nine armed robbery suspects, six cult members and three insurgents, adding that they were arrested at different locations based on tip-off.
He added that 11 stolen vehicles, 12 firearms and 40 live ammunition were recovered from the criminal groups.
He said, “We sacrificed our Christmas and New Year celebrations to make sure Anambra was safe. It is our delight that people had a peaceful celebration.
“It will interest the public to also note how the command launched a manhunt and went after those criminals that killed two police officers from Enugu State Command at Uga Roundabout, Aguata LGA, on December 28, 2023.
“On December 31, 2023, the command went after them at their camp in Ogboji in Orumba South Local Government Area, where three of them were gunned down. In the process, two police officers were also injured and they are right now receiving treatment.
“In that encounter, we rescued a 51-year-old man who was abducted on the day the attack was launched. After that encounter, we have not had any other encounter in the state. We will not relent until every one of the insurgents is haunted down.
“During the Christmas celebrations, we did not want to bother the public about the successes we have recorded, but now that everyone is in a relaxed mood, we called you to update you on the successes we have recorded in our fight against the criminal insurgents.
“The command since December 1, 2023, so far arrested 12 kidnap suspects, nine armed robbery suspects, six cultists and three insurgents. also, 11 stolen vehicles were recovered, 12 firearms recovered and 40 live ammunition were recovered from the criminal groups in the period under review.”
According to him, the suspects were dislodged after a manhunt was launched against them after carrying out intelligence gathering on their modus operandi.
SOURCE: PUNCH DAILY NEWSPAPER