Police kill ‘notorious kidnapper’, rescue victim in Anambra

The Anambra police command says it has killed a “notorious kidnapper” in the state.

A statement on Tuesday by Tochukwu Ikenga, the state’s police spokesperson, said the operatives also rescued a kidnap victim.

Ikenga said the suspect was killed on Monday after the joint security team engaged the assailants, who were in a black shuttle bus in a gun duel, causing the others to flee the scene with bullet wounds.

He urged hospitals to admit, but report any individual with bullet wounds to the nearest police station.

“On the evening of 24th March 2025, a joint security team comprising the police, military, and Ihiala vigilante while on patrol intercepted a black shuttle with registration number—RSH 255MS that drove in a suspicious manner. In an attempt to stop the vehicle, the armed occupants opened fire on the joint security team,” the statement reads.

“The operatives on searching the vehicle found a blindfolded victim, suspected to have been kidnapped and who was tied on the hand and legs while his mouth was sealed.

“The victim was successfully rescued, given first aid and debriefed by the police operatives. Also, the vehicle was recovered and the joint security team are still in an operation in the area for possible arrest of others on the run.

“The command remains committed to maintaining security dominance through sustained patrols and targeted security operations in the state.”