By Ifeizu Joe
Police in Anambra State have arrested a 32 years old man, Ifeanyi Ekemezie over involvement in kidnapping.
A press release by the state police command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the suspects is also linked to another gang member who had used his bank account to collect N1million ransom from a victim who was kidnapped in December last year.
According to Ikenga, the man confessed to being a member of a three man kidnap and car jacking syndicate, operating around Awka and environs.
His release stated: “Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Awkuzu, in the early hours of 17th February 2026, arrested one Ifeanyi Ekemezie, male, 32 years, at Isuaniocha.
“During interrogation, Ifeanyi Ekemezie confessed to being a member of a three-man criminal gang that specializes in kidnapping and car snatching within Awka and its environs.
“He further admitted to being a member of the notorious Vikings Confraternity and to participating in various cult-related killings in Awka.”
Ikenga stated that the arrest of Ekemezie was in continuation of an ongoing investigation involving conspiracy, cultism, armed robbery, and kidnapping in Awka and its environs.
“The Case originated from an incident that occurred on 31st December 2025, when the victim was attacked, robbed and kidnapped at his residence in Amansea.
“During the attack, his Toyota Highlander Jeep was carted away, and the sum of Three Million Naira (₦3,000,000) was transferred from his bank account. The victim was shot in the leg and later abandoned at an unknown location before he was subsequently rescued.”
He said the incident had earlier led to the arrest of Ndubuisi Anyakaku, male, 33 years, on 13th February 2026, whose bank account was allegedly used to receive a ransom payment of One Million Naira (₦1,000,000) from a kidnapped victim in Awka.
The Command said it has intensified efforts to apprehend other members of the gang who are currently at large and to recover their operational weapons. It promised that further developments on the matter will be communicated in due course.
