By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command says its operatives have arrested a 62-year-old suspected informant of a secessionist group who allegedly spearheaded a major extortion syndicate operating in parts of Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.
Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development in a statement issued in Awka on Thursday, identified the suspect as one Bernard Odinchefu. He said the arrest was effected by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
According to Ikenga, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was responsible for the illegal collection of levies from traders in Isseke and Orsumoghu communities. Each trader was compelled to pay at least ₦10,000 monthly, while families organizing burial ceremonies in the affected communities were forced to part with ₦100,000 or more before being allowed to carry out such ceremonies.
He explained that the illicit proceeds extorted from residents were allegedly remitted by the suspect to his commander in a terrorist camp, thereby sustaining the activities of the group in the area. He added that the suspect is already in custody while investigations continue to unravel his network and identify collaborators.
Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, described the arrest as another major breakthrough in the Command’s ongoing clampdown on insurgent-linked activities and criminal networks across the state. He assured residents of Anambra of the Command’s determination to continue dismantling structures of criminal elements masquerading as agitators and preying on innocent citizens.
CP Orutugu further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to always provide timely and credible information to security agencies to aid their efforts in ensuring lasting peace and security in all parts of the state.
