Police arrest 25-year-old suspected kidnapper in Anambra, recover three firearms

The Anambra State Police Command has apprehended a 25-year-old man, Emmanuel Mark, in connection with armed robbery and kidnapping allegations. The suspect was part of a four-man syndicate operating in the Ifite Awka area of Awka South Local Government, according to the police. According to a press release, Mark was captured by Rapid Response Squad operatives following intelligence-driven operations.

In the course of the operation, police recovered a locally-made pistol, two pump-action guns, and a military-pattern face cap. The Anambra Police Command emphasized that this arrest was a significant step in their ongoing efforts to combat violent crime through intelligence-led operations. Mark was taken into custody on August 27, 2026, during early morning hours.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Mark allegedly conspired with other members of the syndicate, who are still at large, to kidnap individuals in the Ifite Awka area. He confessed to kidnapping a victim on July 22, 2026, who was dispossessed of valuables and subsequently murdered, with his body disposed of in a bush. The suspect also admitted to using a tricycle to block victims, engage them in arguments, overpower them at gunpoint, and take them to their hideout in Umoji, Ebenebe.

The Commissioner of Police has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the case and directed the police to intensify efforts to apprehend the remaining members of the syndicate.