Police kill two suspected kidnappers, recover arms in Anambra

Recovered weapons. Photo credit: Anambra command

The Anambra State Police Command has neutralised two suspected kidnappers after a gun duel along Ezeowelle Road in Idemili Local Government Area of the state.

In a press statement released on Wednesday, the Spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives of the Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, carried out the exercise after they sighted the suspects on the road.

Ikenga said the police operatives swiftly mobilised to the area and on sighting the Police team, the hoodlums opened fire on them, leading to a gun duel that lasted several minutes.

He said during the ensuing encounter, two of the suspects sustained fatal gunshot injuries, while other members of the gang fled the scene with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its ongoing intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes across the State.

“In the early morning of today, 19th August 2026, operatives of the Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu received credible information that a group of suspected armed robbers/kidnappers had been sighted along Eziowelle Road.

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“The Police operatives swiftly mobilised to the area and on sighting the Police team, the hoodlums opened fire on them, leading to a gun duel.

“During the ensuing encounter, two of the suspects sustained fatal gunshot injuries, while other members of the gang fled the scene with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

“The operatives, however, recovered one AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing four live rounds of ammunition, one pump-action gun and five live cartridges from the scene.”

According to him, the Anambra State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Nnanna Oji Ama, remains resolute in its determination to sustain intelligence-led and proactive operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety and security of residents across the State.

“The Command has commenced further investigations and intensified efforts to track down the fleeing members of the gang. Further developments shall be communicated accordingly,” he added.

Ikenna Obianeri is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over 10 years of experience in reporting and storytelling. He conducts incisive interviews, covers crime and environmental issues, and produces engaging feature stories tailored for digital audiences. Ikenna’s work reflects strong newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to impactful, audience-focused journalism

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