Police bust kidnappers’ den in Anambra, rescue victim

The Anambra State Police Command said it has busted a kidnapper’s den located in Umuduru in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

The command said its combined team of police, military and vigilantes carried out the operation during which a kidnapped victim was rescued unhurt.

This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the command spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Tuesday.

Ikenga added that the feat was achieved following the arrest of a suspect (name withheld) a few weeks ago and his confession of being a member of a criminal/notorious kidnap gang terrorising the state, especially in Ihiala.

The statement read in part, “In an ongoing operation in Ihiala, a combined team of Police, Military and AVG operatives busted a criminal den at Umuduru, Ihiala and rescued a kidnapped victim unhurt.

“The feat is following an arrest of a suspect name (withheld) a few weeks ago and his confession of being a member of a criminal/notorious kidnap gang terrorising the state, especially in Ihiala.

“The rescued victim has been debriefed and released to the family, while operations are still ongoing. Further development shall be communicated, please.”

PUNCH had reported that members of the Nigerian Medical Association in the state had threatened a total shutdown of hospitals in the state following the kidnap of their member, Dr Steven Ezeh who was kidnapped by yet-to-be-identified persons at his residence in Umunnamehi village, Ihiala LGA on August 15.

The NMA which met an emergency general meeting on Monday issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the release of Ezeh or they withdraw their services across the state afterwards.

It is not yet clear if the rescued victim is in connection with the abducted doctor or not as the police did not disclose the identity of the released victim.

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