Zero Kidnapping, 200 Arrests: Anambra Police Chief Celebrates Six-Month Crime Crackdown
By Onwe Wisdom|Pan Afric Reporters, Awka-Anambra. Sept. 9, 2025
Six months into his tenure, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, says the command has crippled major criminal networks, driven kidnapping rates down to “zero,” and restored public confidence in security.
Speaking at a press briefing in Awka on Tuesday, Orutugu outlined sweeping gains made under Operation Zero Kidnapping, a joint campaign with sister security agencies. He said the initiative had dismantled abduction gangs and significantly curtailed violent crime across the state.
“In the past six months, we have recovered more than 300 arms, 20 explosives, over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, and 30 stolen vehicles. We also destroyed five criminal camps and arrested more than 200 suspects,” the Police Chief said.
One of the command’s biggest breakthroughs was the re-arrest of a suspect accused of masterminding the kidnapping and murder of Honourable Justice Azuka. “This underscores our resolve that perpetrators of heinous crimes will never escape justice,” Orutugu added.
The police secured over 100 convictions on charges ranging from sexual assault to armed robbery. Vigilante groups across the state were also retrained on lawful conduct, intelligence sharing, and crime scene management.
In addition to crime fighting, the command used alternative dispute resolution to quell communal tensions, including the long-running boundary dispute between Ikenga, Isiokwe, Umueri, and Aguleri communities.
The Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) contributed to rebuilding trust through women’s empowerment, family support, and charity programs. Meanwhile, police maintained security during the recent by-election and the President’s visit, and renovated facilities including the Rapid Response Squad at Akwuzu.
The command’s efforts earned it the Best Crime-Busting Command of the Year award from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council.
“While challenges remain, our results reaffirm that with sustained collaboration, professionalism, and trust, Anambra will remain safe,” Orutugu concluded.
