Anambra Police Kill Four Kidnappers, Rescue Victim After N20m Ransom Payment

Story: written by Daniel August 29,2025
Security operatives in Anambra State have killed four suspected kidnappers and rescued a victim who was abducted despite his family paying a N20 million ransom.

The joint operation, carried out by the Anambra State Police Command’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS), the state-controlled Agunechemba Security Group, and the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG), took place on August 21, 2025, at a terrorist camp in Awa, Orumba North Local Government Area.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Awka on Friday.

Ikenga explained that acting on credible intelligence, security operatives launched a 15-hour coordinated assault on the hideout, which led to the safe rescue of the hostage.

He said the abductors had earlier collected N20 million from the victim’s family but still refused to release him until the raid forced his freedom.

“In the ensuing gun battle, four of the criminal elements were neutralised, while several others escaped with bullet wounds,” Ikenga stated.

Recovered items from the hideout included two pump-action guns, a fabricated AK-47 rifle, a K2 assault rifle, a locally made hunter’s gun, radio communication devices, three locally made improvised explosive devices, gas cylinders, cables, food supplies, vehicles, and mobile phones. Among the seized vehicles were a black Lexus RX 350 SUV and four Toyota Camry cars with different registration numbers.

The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, assured residents that the command will sustain its operations until all criminal camps are destroyed.

“We remain resolute in our mission to rid Anambra of criminal elements. Operations are ongoing to track fleeing suspects and dismantle other hideouts across the state,” Orutugu said.