In its determination to rid Anambra State of crimes and criminality, the state’s Police Command puts all criminal elements to flight leading to major milestones in fighting vices and sending criminals away from the South East state
By Chinedu Oguh
The quietness on the highways of Anambra State was shattered in the early hours of Friday, September 5, 2025, when armed gangs staged coordinated attacks along the Oba and Awka roads. But what was meant to be a night of bloodshed and stolen fortunes quickly turned into a dramatic triumph for security operatives, leaving the criminals fleeing into the darkness.
According to police accounts, the robbers had strategically blocked off sections of the road, targeting motorists and residents in a wave of violence that could have ended in tragedy. Shots rang out, panic spread, and for a few minutes, the heavily armed gangs appeared in control.
But then came the unexpected twist acting on rapid intelligence, operatives of the Anambra State police command stormed the scene and what followed was a fierce gun battle that ripped through the still night. Outnumbered and outgunned, the robbers abandoned the two vehicles they had earlier snatched at gunpoint, disappearing into the shadows.
Police spokesperson DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development in a statement that painted a picture of both bravery and urgency.
“At about 2:30 am, our operatives responded swiftly to distress calls along Oba and Awka roads, where armed gangs had blocked motorists and dispossessed them of valuables. On sighting our officers, they engaged us in a gun duel but were overpowered. Two stolen vehicles were recovered, and operations to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing” Ikenga said.
He further praised the gallant officers whose rapid response prevented what would have been a grim day in Anambra. Ikenga assured residents that the command has intensified patrols, surveillance and highway monitoring to ensure that the State remains unsafe for criminal gangs.
Yet, it was not only the police who played a role in the midnight drama. Eyewitness accounts revealed that vigilant community members tipped off authorities before the situation escalated. A commercial driver who narrowly escaped the ambush recounted the chaos:
“They blocked the road with a car and started shooting in the air. People panicked, some tried to run, some hid, but within minutes, the police arrived and everything changed. It was like a movie scene. If not for the quick response, many of us wouldn’t be here to tell the story,” he said.
Tentacle learnt that the attempted attacks came at a time when residents of Anambra State have expressed growing concern over car snatching, highway robberies and criminal activity across major roads. Communities have been on edge, demanding stronger security presence, especially at night.
For many, this confrontation serves as a turning point. The recovery of the stolen vehicles and the police success in foiling the ambush has sparked fresh hope that Anambra’s highways may yet become safe haven again.
Still, the large question remains: How long before the same gangs regroup and strike again? The police command insists there will be no hiding place for criminals in the State.
To match words with action, the State Commissioner of Police (CP) Ikioye Orutugu, has announced the recovery of over 300 arms, 20 explosives, 1,000 ammunition and over 30 vehicles. He also said no fewer than 200 suspects had been arrested, including cultists, separatist agitators and armed robbers.
Furthermore, he said the command had secured convictions of more than 100 suspects on cases bordering sexual assault, armed robbery, kidnapping and other crimes.
Briefing reporters on the achievements of the command at the police headquarters, the police boss said the command has destroyed five criminal camps of hoodlums in the State. These he said included “One of the notable successes was the re-arrest of the suspect involved in the kidnapping and murder of Hon Chief Justice Azuka.
“This breakthrough underscores our resolve to ensure that perpetrators of heinous criminals are brought to justice, no matter how long it takes.
The command has explored the use of alternative dispute resolution to resolve several communal crises including the boundary dispute between Ikenga and Isiokwe villages in Umueri and Aguleri, among others.”
In a related development, armed men suspected to be militants launched a deadly attack on police operatives at the Obehie boundary between Rivers and Abia States on September 5, 2025, killing two officers of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU).
According to a police situation report, the incident occurred around 1:20 am, when 20 gunmen arriving in three SUVs concealed behind long trucks, opened fire on CTU operatives stationed at a sand bag checkpoint.
“The CTU Commander Base 24 Aba reported that about 01:20 hrs, armed men suspected to be militants numbering over twenty (20) in three SUVs concealed behind long trucks with sophisticated weapons attacked his men who were in their buffer sand bags at Obehie nipping point,” he said.
According to reports, the operatives engaged the attacks in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat, with some believed to have sustained several bullet wounds.
However, two CTU officers, Inspector Ishaya Audu and Inspector Anthony Emmanuel, were killed in the exchange and the assailants took their riffles.
The report said tactical teams have since been deployed to the area to reinforce security, comb surroundings, and recover the stolen rifles, as well as any wounded or dead attackers.
Police authorities in Abia State confirmed that efforts are going to track down those behind the deadly attack.
