Anambra Police arrest suspect over alleged murder, neutralise two kidnappers in separate operations
By Sunny A. David, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged murder of a 56-year-old man in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area, while its operatives have also neutralised two suspected kidnappers and armed robbers in a separate operation along Eziowelle Road.
In the Awkuzu incident, police arrested a 32-year-old man, identified as Ifeanyi Nwankwo, over the alleged murder of his friend, Kelechi Madu.
Madu was reportedly declared missing by his wife on Tuesday after leaving home the previous evening and failing to return.
A search involving the police, local vigilantes and members of the deceased’s family later led to the discovery of his lifeless body in a bush at Umuobi, Awkuzu. Police said he sustained a deep axe wound to the head.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said preliminary investigations indicated that Nwankwo allegedly collected money from Madu under the pretext of helping him secure a piece of land.
According to Ikenga, the suspect allegedly arranged the killing in an attempt to conceal the transaction and avoid accountability.
The police spokesman further said Nwankwo allegedly confessed to planning the murder and engaging two other persons to carry out the attack. Two additional suspects have also been arrested in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation along Eziowelle Road, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, reportedly neutralised two suspected kidnappers and armed robbers during an intelligence-led operation in the early hours of Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Ikenga said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of an armed criminal group operating in the area.
According to him, the suspects opened fire on the police team after sighting the operatives, leading to a gun battle in which two of the suspects sustained fatal gunshot injuries.
Other members of the group reportedly escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
Police said an AK-47 rifle fitted with a magazine containing four live rounds of ammunition, a pump-action firearm and five live cartridges were recovered from the scene.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Ama, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the alleged murder case and directed detectives to identify and apprehend all persons allegedly involved.
Ama also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven and proactive operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks across the state.
The Commissioner assured residents that the police would continue working to strengthen security and protect lives and property, while all suspects found culpable in the various cases would face the full weight of the law.
