Security Forces Rescue Kidnap Victim in Anambra, Kill One

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Security forces in Anambra State have rescued a kidnap victim, while also killing one of the suspected kidnappers during a gun duel.

A statement issued by the spokesperson for Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that the incident happened last Saturday at Aguata Local Government Area.

Recall that Aguata and Orumba axis have recently become hotbed for insecurity, with several killings by hoodlums already registered.

In the Saturday’s incident, Ikenga said: “In the late hours of July 12, 2025, operatives of the police-led Joint Security Force from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Aguata, while on a night visibility patrol around Amaokpala, encountered a group of armed hoodlums and engaged them in a gun duel.

“During the operation, the operatives successfully rescued a 26-year-old female kidnap victim, neutralized one of the armed criminals, and recovered some items.

“The hoodlums allegedly opened fire upon sighting the patrol team, and the operatives tactically returned fire, leading to a gun duel that lasted approximately forty (40) minutes.

“One suspect was fatally wounded and later confirmed dead at a nearby hospital, where the body was deposited in the morgue for preservation,” he stated.

He listed the recovered from the hoodlums include; one pump-action gun, 11 live cartridges, one ash-coloured Toyota Camry Sedan with Reg. No: Lagos-EPE-208-FK, one Police belt, and one carton of Chelsea sachet alcoholic drink.

Others are one Zenith Bank ATM card, one axe, one small Tecno mobile phone, one packet of cigarettes, assorted charms and a cash sum of N2,700.

He added that the rescued victim has since been debriefed and provided with necessary medical attention, ahead of a safe reunion with her family.

The PRO quoted the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, as commending the gallant efforts of the operatives and reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to making Anambra State unattractive to all forms of criminal activities.