Police rescue kidnapped victim, kill one, recover arms in Anambra

DDM NEWS

The Anambra State Police Command has successfully rescued a 26-year-old female kidnap victim and killed one suspected kidnapper in a gun duel at Amaokpala community in Aguata, Orumba Local Government Area of the state.

The operation, which took place on July 12, 2025, was conducted by the Police-led Joint Security Force from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Aguata.

The police operatives engaged the hoodlums in a 40-minute gun duel, leading to the fatal wounding of one suspect and the rescue of the kidnap victim.

The police recovered several items, including Firearms and Ammunition.

One pump-action gun and 11 live cartridges.

One ash-colored Toyota Camry Sedan with registration number Lagos-EPE-208-FK.

One police belt, one carton of Chelsea sachet alcoholic drink, 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.

The rescued victim has been debriefed and provided with necessary medical attention, ahead of a safe reunion with her family.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, commended the operatives’ efforts and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to making Anambra State inhospitable to all forms of criminal activity.

The suspect’s body was deposited in a nearby hospital’s morgue for preservation.

DDM News correspondent gathered on Sunday that the gun duel which occurred late on Saturday lasted for over one hour before normalcy returned to the area.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident in a press statement on Sunday, said operatives of the police-led joint security force from the Forward Operating Base Aguata encountered the hoodlums while on a night visibility patrol in the area.

Ikenga said, “In the late hours of July 12, 2025, operatives of the police-led joint security force from the Forward Operating Base 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, neutralised one of the armed criminals, and recovered the following items: one pump-action gun, 11 live cartridges, one ash-coloured Toyota Camry Sedan with Reg. No: Lagos-EPE-208-FK, One Police belt.

“Other items include one carton of Chelsea sachet alcoholic drink, one Zenith Bank ATM card, one axe, one small Tecno mobile phone, one packet of cigarettes, assorted charms and N2,700 cash.

“The hoodlums allegedly opened fire upon sighting the patrol team. The operatives tactically returned fire, leading to a gun duel that lasted approximately 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.”

According to him, the rescued victim has since been debriefed and provided with necessary medical attention, ahead of a safe reunion with her family.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, commended the gallant efforts of the operatives and reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to making Anambra State inhospitable to all forms of criminality.”

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