Anambra Police Arrest Three Over POS Operator Kidnap Plot, Link Gang to ₦3.5m Ransom Case

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate accused of targeting Point of Sale (POS) operators in the state, following the foiling of an attempted abduction in Ogbaru Local Government Area.

The suspects identified as Chekwube Chukwu 32, Amarachukwu Nwobosi 34, and Sopuluchukwu Ifeakor 30, were arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, in collaboration with detectives from the Ogbaru Divisional Police Station.

The arrest was disclosed by the spokesperson of the Anambra Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement issued on Sunday in Awka.

According to the police, the suspects were intercepted while allegedly attempting to abduct a female POS operator at Atani in Ogbaru Local Government Area.

Ikenga said the victim raised an alarm during the attack, attracting the attention of nearby residents, who alerted security operatives. The swift response by the police team reportedly disrupted the operation and led to the rescue of the victim and arrest of the suspects.

“The team arrested three male suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered a black Toyota Camry with tinted glasses and Lagos registration number LND 789HR, believed to have been used by the gang for its operations,” the police spokesperson said.

The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects may be connected to the earlier abduction of another female POS operator at Dominion Park, Head Bridge, Onitsha, on June 3, 2026.

According to the Command, the victim was allegedly kidnapped and dispossessed of two POS machines and Android phones before her family was forced to pay a ransom of ₦3.5 million for her release.

Ikenga said the suspects confessed during interrogation and are currently providing information that could assist investigators in tracking down other members of the syndicate and individuals allegedly involved in receiving stolen items.

In a separate operation, the Anambra Police Command also announced the arrest of another suspect, identified as Johnbosco Okoye, popularly known as “Bone”, 32.

The arrest, carried out by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, was linked to an ongoing investigation into the kidnapping of a victim in Okpanam, Asaba, Delta State.

Police said the victim was allegedly abducted, robbed and forced to pay ransom before regaining freedom.

During a search conducted on the suspect, operatives reportedly recovered a locally fabricated pistol, two live rounds of ammunition, an axe and an Itel Android phone bearing the victim’s photograph as its screensaver.

The suspect was said to have confessed to involvement in the crime, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang.

The Anambra Police Command said the operations demonstrate its commitment to dismantling criminal networks and improving security across the state.

The Command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing criminal activities.

The latest arrests come amid increased efforts by security agencies across the South-East to tackle kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes affecting communities in the region.