Anambra Security Crackdown: 100 Gunmen Killed, Lawmaker’s Killers Arrested
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed that security operatives, in collaboration with Operation Udo Ga Achi, have neutralized at least 100 armed criminals and demolished multiple hideouts across the state.
Outgoing Commissioner of Police, Obono Itam, disclosed this during a media briefing, where he also paraded nine suspects linked to various violent crimes, including the murder of a state lawmaker.
According to CP Itam:
“Our interaction today is to highlight some of the notable breakthroughs recorded by the Anambra State Police Command on major incidents in the State within the period under review.
We have neutralized more than one hundred (100) notorious criminals and successfully destroyed many criminal camps in Ufuma, Eziowelle, Achalla, Ogbaru, and many other places in the State.
The Command Operatives have also successfully arrested one kidnap suspect in Uruagu, Nnewi, and neutralized some of his gang members that were involved in the attack of Police personnel attached to the Rapid Response Squad after a successful arrest on 3rd October 2024.”
The police chief also announced that all individuals involved in the murder of Hon. Justice Azuka, the Anambra State lawmaker representing Onitsha North Constituency 1, have been apprehended. Azuka was abducted on December 24, 2024, and his decomposing body was discovered on February 6, 2025, at the Second Niger Bridge.
“Many of you are aware of the gruesome murder of Hon. Justice Azuka, the Honourable State House of Assembly member representing Onitsha North Constituency 1 in the Anambra State House of Assembly, who was abducted on 24th December 2024 in Onitsha.
This serious incident motivated the Command to go the extra mile in intelligence gathering and discreet investigation.
In the early hours of 6th February 2025 at the Second Niger Bridge, the Joint Security team comprising the Police and AVG Operatives on a mission to rescue the abducted Honourable State House of Assembly member representing Onitsha North, Hon. Azuka, regrettably found his lifeless body at the scene. (May his soul rest in perfect peace).
Given the above, on the same day, the Command Operatives, in a joint operation with Anambra State Vigilante Operatives, acting on intelligence-led information, arrested nine suspects actively involved in this unfortunate incident and recovered two pump-action guns.
One of the suspects sustained a gunshot injury in his leg during a gun duel with the Police operatives.”
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The arrested suspects include Ugochukwu Onuorah (30), Ikemefuna Ossai (20), Ikenna Orugu (27), Chibuike Obiefuna (19), Chinonso Olisa (19), Chinedu Okoli (21), David Ojini (25), and Peter Sunday (20), who had a tattoo on his chest reading “No peace 4 d Government.”
CP Itam praised the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for his guidance and support, while also appreciating Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for his contributions to the state’s security efforts.
The crackdown on criminals in Anambra highlights the state’s ongoing fight against insecurity, with authorities vowing to sustain the offensive against violent gangs.
