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The Anambra State Police Command has foiled a suspected kidnapping attempt and rescued a 16-year-old victim, Favour Ayogu, at Ekene Junction, along Oguta Road, Onitsha, the commercial hub of the state.

According to The PUNCH, the victim was allegedly abducted in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State by a kidnap syndicate and later abandoned when the abductors approached a security checkpoint in Onitsha after security operatives thwarted their moves.

In a statement released on Monday, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the rescue of the victim followed improved strategic joint security operations conducted on Sunday night.

Ikenga said the abductors abandoned their victim and fled after a hot chase by security operatives who had earlier suspected their movements.

According to him, the command has intensified surveillance to apprehend the suspected abductors while seeking the public’s assistance to reunite the victim with his family in Enugu State.

The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command has intensified efforts to apprehend a suspected criminal gang following the rescue of a 16-year-old boy, Favour Ayogu, who was allegedly abducted in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State and later abandoned near a security checkpoint in Onitsha.

“The rescue followed improved strategic joint security operations conducted on the evening of September 13, 2026.

“A joint patrol team operating at Ekene Junction along Oguta Road, Onitsha, intercepted the victim after he was reportedly dropped from a black Toyota Highlander SUV by unidentified persons close to the security checkpoint.

“The swift response of the joint patrol team led to the boy’s rescue and prevented further harm. The Command has since stepped up surveillance and other intelligence-led measures to identify, trace, and arrest those responsible for the alleged abduction.

“The Anambra State Police Command appeals to members of the public, particularly residents of Igboeze South and Ibagwa-Aka in Enugu State, who may have information that could assist in locating the victim’s family, to contact the nearest Police Station or the Anambra State Police Command.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Nnanna Ama, commended the joint patrol team for its vigilance and professionalism.

Ama further urged personnel to sustain intelligence-led patrols, strategic checkpoints and coordinated security operations across the state.

“The Command reassures residents and visitors of its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, responding swiftly to distress situations, and ensuring that criminal elements have no safe haven in Anambra State,” the statement added.

(PUNCH)

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The Delta State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on illegal firearms and violent crime across the state, with separate intelligence-led operations by the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU) leading to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of two pump-action guns, 18 live cartridges and other dangerous items.

The Delta State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the latest operations, carried out in Obiaruku and Isupe Community in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, was the command’s renewed efforts to disrupt the circulation of illicit weapons believed to have the potential to fuel cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes.

According to Edafe, the first operation, operatives of the VCRU, acted on credible intelligence, and stormed a residence in Obiaruku on September 12, 2026, following information that the occupant was allegedly in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

He said the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Joel Iwomi of Umuebu, Obiaruku, reportedly resisted the operatives’ attempt to gain access to the premises.

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The police, however, succeeded in gaining entry and subsequently conducted a search of the residence; and during the search, operatives recovered one pump-action gun and 18 live cartridges, he declared.

He said Iwomi was arrested and taken into custody, while investigation has commenced to determine the source of the firearm and ammunition and establish whether the suspect has any links with other criminal networks operating within or outside the community.

In a separate operation conducted on September 9, 2026, operatives of the CACU arrested another suspect, identified as Chukwuka Nzete, also known as “Ododo,” of Isupe Community, Ndokwa West LGA.

The police image maker said Nzete was suspected of involvement in the illegal sale and proliferation of firearms and allegedly operated a shrine where suspected criminal elements were purportedly fortified.

Following his arrest, operatives searched his residence and recovered another pump-action gun, four dagger knives, one battle axe and pots containing substances suspected to be charms.

The police spokesperson further disclosed that the suspect was also taken into custody as detectives commenced investigation aimed at determining the full extent of his alleged activities and identifying possible associates and criminal groups connected to him.

The recovery of the firearms and ammunition has heightened concerns over the availability of illicit weapons in communities, particularly against the backdrop of persistent efforts by security agencies to prevent criminal elements from acquiring arms capable of escalating violent confrontations.

The Delta Police Command said the operations formed part of its intelligence-driven strategy to identify and dismantle sources of illegal firearms before such weapons are deployed in the commission of crimes.

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The sexual offence case involving Nigerian dancer and entertainer Iweh Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, remains active in the United Kingdom, with his plea and trial preparation hearing scheduled for September 15, 2026.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed the development in response to an inquiry by PUNCH Online on Saturday.

The CPS Press Office said Odinaka remained scheduled to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15 for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH).

“This case is still live, and Odinaka is still set to appear for a PTPH at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 15 September 2026,” the CPS said.

A PTPH is a pre-trial hearing at which matters relating to a defendant’s plea and preparations for trial are considered.

The CPS clarification followed reports circulating online claiming that Poco Lee had been released from a UK prison and that the complainant had withdrawn from the case or that the matter had been settled out of court.

However, the CPS did not clarify whether Odinaka had been released from custody or remained on remand.

PUNCH Online also contacted Snaresbrook Crown Court for clarification on his current custody or bail status but was yet to receive a response at the time of the report.

Odinaka is facing five sexual offence charges in the UK — attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration.

Snaresbrook Crown Court had previously confirmed that the case was listed for a plea and trial preparation hearing on September 15.

The court also imposed a reporting restriction to protect the anonymity of the complainant under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.

The case followed Odinaka’s visit to the UK in August for the Davido and Friends concert held at Crystal Palace Bowl in London on August 14.

Odinaka has not been convicted of any offence, and the allegations against him are yet to be determined by the court.