Combined security operatives have arrested four men who frequently posed as kidnappers, threatening to abduct residents unless they paid a ransom in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The police spokesperson for Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, shared in a statement that the suspects regularly issued threats to the community's residents, which has been increasingly impacted by rising insecurity.
The arrested individuals were identified as Chimezie Ezebuo, Chinaza Ndimani, Chinecherem Okafor, and Nzube Azubuike, all of whom are natives of Okohia, a community in Ihiala.
The joint security team apprehended the suspects on Thursday, April 10, 2025, after a “painstaking investigation” was carried out. This investigation was based on information received over time regarding faceless criminals threatening kidnapping, violence, and cyberstalking in the area.
Ikenga noted that the suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crime and are currently in custody for further questioning.
The security team also recovered phones and SIM cards used by the suspects to threaten their victims, creating panic in the area and disrupting the peace efforts of security agencies.
Ikenga emphasized the police command's commitment to public safety and holding individuals accountable for actions that incite fear and disturb the peace. He also noted that security within the Ihiala Council Area has improved, with residents helping to identify bad elements in the community.
