By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested ten suspects in connection with the ongoing investigation into the kidnap and murder of a man whose lifeless body was discovered near a piggery farm, said to be his own in Nimo Community of Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Information has it that the incident took place on June 23, 2025.

Confirming the report in a statement issued on Sunday, by the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, he said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, made the arrests on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

According to Ikenga, the suspects are currently undergoing interrogation, adding that the operatives are prepared to take the next line of action based on information gathered, in accordance with directives from the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu.

In a related development, operatives attached to the Uli Divisional Headquarters have arrested one Muanaenye Chekwube Victor in connection with a reported kidnapping case.

The police spokesman said: "Preliminary investigations revealed that Victor conspired with his gang to abduct a victim and demanded a ransom equivalent to N5.3 million in US dollars before releasing the individual.

"During interrogation, the suspect confessed to masterminding the kidnapping by luring his friend under the pretence of visiting another acquaintance.

"He and his gang staged the abduction and pretended he was also a victim, in order to divert suspicion.

“The suspect, Victor, and his criminal gang allegedly abducted their friend and, to avoid suspicion, pretended he had also been kidnapped by the same group."

He said that the suspect is cooperating with the investigation team by providing useful information to help apprehend his accomplices, saying that he will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.

In a similar development, operatives of the Anambra State Police Command, attached to the Uli Divisional Headquarters, Anambra State, have arrested a 24-year-old man, Muanaenye Chekwube Victor, over his alleged involvement in the kidnap of his own friend, a crime which saw the victim’s family pay a ransom equivalent to five million, three hundred thousand naira in dollars.

A statement released by the Anambra State Police Spokesperson, SP Ikenga, said that the suspect was apprehended following intelligence-led investigations into the reported case.

He said the suspect was arrested on the evening of 26th June 2025, bringing to light his act of betrayal, in which he conspired and lured his friend to a yet-to-be-identified gang.

According to the statement, the suspect in the course in interrogation confessed to masterminding the entire scheme.

He claimed to have allegedly lured the victim by pretending that he needed someone to accompany him to visit another friend.

It was gathered that immediately they were together, Victor and his criminal gang struck, seized the victim and staged his abduction in a manner designed to avoid suspicion.

He added: "To further conceal his involvement, Victor reportedly acted as though he had also fallen prey to the kidnappers.

"The investigation revealed that the gang released the victim after successfully extorting a ransom equivalent to five million, three hundred thousand naira in dollars from his family."

The PPRO further said that the suspect is now in custody and cooperating with the police by providing useful information aimed at ensuring the arrest of his accomplices and the eventual dismantling of the criminal network behind the plot.

He also confirmed that the suspect will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.