By Karen James
Awka, March 25, 2025 — A coordinated effort by a Joint Security team comprising the Police, Military, and Ihiala Vigilante successfully thwarted a kidnapping attempt and rescued a victim in Anambra State on the evening of March 24, 2025.
The incident occurred when the security team, while on patrol, intercepted a black shuttle bus with registration number RSH 255MS that was moving suspiciously. Upon attempting to halt the vehicle, the armed occupants opened fire on the operatives.
In the ensuing gun duel, the security team neutralized one of the assailants, while four others fled into a nearby bush with gunshot wounds.
A search of the abandoned vehicle revealed a blindfolded victim, suspected to have been kidnapped. The victim’s hands and legs were bound, and his mouth was sealed. He was promptly rescued, given first aid, and later debriefed by the Police Operatives.
The shuttle bus was recovered as evidence, and security personnel have intensified operations in the area to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
In response to this development, the Anambra State Police Command has urged all private and public hospital operators to report any individuals seeking treatment for bullet wounds or suspicious injuries to the nearest police station. This proactive measure is aimed at aiding the arrest of the fleeing criminals and preventing further criminal activities.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining security efforts through intensified patrols and targeted operations to ensure the safety of residents.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Anambra State Command, assured the public that security dominance in the state remains a top priority.
