* Recovers Beretta Pistols, Ammunition, Stolen Petrol Tanker, Other Incriminating Items
By Rose Nwankwu (Anambra State Correspondent)
The Anambra State Police Command has continued to record significant operational successes in its sustained efforts to enhance safety and security across the State.
This effort has led to the latest arrest of three suspected armed robbers/cultists and the recovery of arms, ammunition, and a stolen petrol tanker in separate operations.
A statement on Sunday March 22, 2026 by Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, a Superintendent of Police and Spokesman of the Anambra State Command, said Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, on Saturday March 21, 2026, at about 1.46 pm, and acting on credible intelligence tips, stormed a suspected criminal hideout in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
"During the operation, three suspects were arrested, namely: Francis Chukwuka Anene, male, 46 years, Emmanuel Obi, male, 29 years and Okoye Chinonso, male, 35 years and an alleged serving member of a security agency.
"Items recovered from the suspects include two locally made Beretta pistols, four rounds of live 9 mm ammunition, and a suspected fake security agency identity card.
"Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are members of a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, and terrorizing residents of Ogidi and its environs. The suspects are also being investigated for possible involvement in the gruesome murder of the late President General of Ogidi", SP Tochukwu Ikenga stated.
In a separate development, however, Ikenga said that Police personnel attached to the Ozubulu Police Division, in the early hours of Tuesday March 17, 2026, recovered a suspected stolen white trailer tanker abandoned along the Onitsha/Owerri Expressway. The vehicle was found without a registration number and key in the ignition, reportedly abandoned by an unidentified individual.
The Command has commenced efforts to trace the owner of the tanker and unravel the circumstances surrounding its abandonment, as investigations continue on both incidents.
To this end, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reassures Ndi Anambra of the Command’s commitment to sustaining safety and urges members of the public to continue to support the Police with timely and credible information. NNL.
