Anambra Police, Vigilante Team Storm Terrorist Camp, Rescue Kidnap Victim, Neutralize Four Suspects
In a major breakthrough against criminal elements in Anambra State, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, in collaboration with the Anambra State Vigilante Group (AVG) Agunechemba, have dislodged a secessionist/terrorist camp at Awa, Orumba North Local Government Area.
The operation, which lasted more than 15 hours in the early hours of Thursday, August 21, 2025, followed credible intelligence and resulted in the rescue of a kidnapped victim who had been held hostage in the camp. Despite his family reportedly paying a ransom of ₦20 million, the victim was not released until the joint security team intervened.
During the fierce exchange of gunfire, four of the criminal elements were according to a press release e-signed by the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga neutralized, while others fled the scene. A cache of arms, explosives, vehicles, and other items was recovered from the camp. These include two pump action guns, a fabricated AK-47 rifle, a K2 assault rifle, a locally made hunter gun, three locally made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), two empty gas cylinders, rolls of cable wires, mobile phones, and four vehicles, including a Lexus RX 350 Jeep and three Toyota Camry cars.
Other items recovered include a radio transmission box, bags of rice, identity cards, driver’s license, sleeping materials, a desert boot, a big cooler, and a tarpaulin.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc, MNIPS, PhD, while commending the operatives for their bravery, assured residents of Anambra that the command remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property. He disclosed that operations are still ongoing to track down other fleeing suspects and destroy additional criminal hideouts across the state.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that further updates will be provided as investigations and follow-up operations continue.
