By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Swift response by operatives of the Anambra State Police Command and sister security agencies averted what could have been another tragic incident in the state, following the rescue of three kidnap victims and recovery of one vehicle during a foiled kidnap operation in the state over the weekend.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the rescue operation was carried out around 8:45 p.m. on May 3, 2025, after officers attached to the Neni Divisional Headquarters received a distress call regarding a suspected kidnap incident near Okacha Junction, Neni, Anaocha Local Government Area.
He said upon arrival at the scene, the officers successfully rescued three victims, including a husband and wife, who were reportedly abducted by armed hoodlums, while one of the victims’ vehicles was also recovered during the operation, while the suspects escaped with a second vehicle—a black Lexus 350 SUV with registration number ABJ 557 LD—belonging to one of the rescued victims.
The statement reads: “Police Operatives attached to the Neni Divisional Headquarters responded swiftly to a distress call along Okacha junction, Neni on 3rd May 2025 by 8.45 pm, foiled a kidnap incident, rescued three victims, including a husband and wife and recovered one of the victim’s vehicles from the scene.
“Meanwhile, the Joint Security Force, comprising the Military, Civil Defence and Vigilantes have complimented the onslaught of operational efforts of the Police aimed at arresting the armed hoodlums and to recover one Black Lexus 350 SUV with Reg. No: ABJ 557 LD reportedly snatched from the second rescued victim and which the hoodlums used to escape from the scene.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc MNIPS PhD, has, therefore, urged residents to remain vigilant and law-abiding, working together with security agencies to maintain peace and security in the State.”
It will be recalled that the security operatives had, on April 22, similarly rescued another kidnap victim after a hot chase, which forced the kidnappers to abandon the victim in Umunya, along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, before escaping the scene.
