The police in Anambra State have pledged to arrest the suspected killers of 22 people in Nibo and Ifite Awka communities in Awka South Local Government Area of the state.

Nnaghe Itam, the commissioner of police in the state, made this known in Awka South on Monday when he led an anti-sit-at-home patrol team to the area for security assessment and advocacy.

The Ezinano Community in Awka South earlier announced a reward of N10 million to any individual or group who could help the police apprehend the suspected cultists and killers.

The incident, tagged Nibo/Ifite Awka massacre, witnessed the killing of over 15 people in Nibo on 20 October and seven others under similar circumstances on 25 October.

“The command is on the trail of some already mentioned suspects involved in the killings,” he said.

Mr Itam urged communities in Awka South to collaborate with the police and take responsibility for being their neighbour’s keeper.

He advised the executive council members, traditional rulers, and the presidents-general of the communities to continue to work with the police and other security agencies on the need to adopt sustainable policing practices.

Others include youth leaders, Anambra State Vigilantes operatives, and the Police-Community Relations Committee members.

According to the police commissioner, their cooperation will assist police in improving security surveillance and timely security interventions in the state.

The police commissioner also urged residents to report suspicious persons and unusual movements to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency phone number.

Responding, the Chairperson of Awka South Local Government Area, Prince Okafor, who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders, pledged to work with the command and other security agencies to improve security and public safety.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr Itam led the anti-sit-at-home patrol to the state’s Ogidi Divisional headquarters, Obosi Divisional headquarters, Okpoko Divisional headquarters, Harbour Divisional headquarters, and Awada Divisional headquarters.

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have rescued a six-month-old child, Lucky Sunday, who was kidnapped over a month ago by a co-tenant of the child’s parents at their residence on Anekelane Street in the Mile 2 axis of Diobu in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Recall that the suspect, simply identified as Mr Erica, abducted the infant on Sunday, 29 September 2024, and reportedly fled with the child to Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.

The Rivers State Police Command has been on his trail ever since, spreading their dragnet to ensure his arrest and prosecution.

The manhunt for the fleeing suspect finally paid off when detectives attached to the Mile 1 Police Division trailed him to Uyo, leading to his arrest and transportation back to Port Harcourt.

It was gathered that during interrogation, the prime suspect revealed to the police that he sold the baby for N3.6 million to an unidentified female buyer who took the child to Enugu State.

Following a discreet investigation, detectives attached to the Mile 1 Police Division rescued the child on Sunday, 3 November 2024, and arrested the buyer and four other accomplices, bringing the total number of suspects to six, all of whom are currently detained at the Mile 1 Police Station in Port Harcourt.

The father of the child, Anekan Sunday, confirmed the rescue of his baby and the arrest of the six suspects, stating, “Yes, I saw my baby yesterday (Sunday). But the police didn’t allow me to take him yet because they said they wanted to go to court.

“The suspect who took the baby and the others have been arrested. They are six in all, and they are at the Mile 1 Police Division.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the rescue of the child and the arrest of the suspects, stating that it is a child trafficking syndicate.

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, also revealed that the prime suspect had previously sold his own biological child before abducting that of his neighbour.

She stated, “It is a case of a child trafficking syndicate that our men have busted.

“The man sold his own biological son and also abducted another child, whom he sold for N3.6 million to a lady.

“But the lady claimed she went to an orphanage to register the child for adoption in Enugu State. The child was adopted here in Port Harcourt and sold to her.

“The child has been rescued. The suspect and five others have been arrested, and investigations are ongoing.”

Meanwhile, a rights advocate and National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability, Prince Wiro, has commended the police for their due diligence in rescuing the child and arresting the six suspects.

Wiro stated, “We sincerely commend the officers attached to the Mile 1 Police Division for the rescue of the child. It shows a high level of professionalism and due diligence.

“We believe that the officers deserve an award from the police authority in the state. We equally urge the police to arraign any of the arrested suspects found culpable during the investigation in court for justice to be served as a deterrent to others who may want to take the same line of action.”

By Francesca Hangeior

Gunmen on Monday launched an attack on the Police Rapid Response Squad facility at Owerrinta, located along the Umuahia-Aba Federal Expressway.

During the assault, a female detainee was fatally shot.

Confirming the incident on Thursday, the state Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, said one suspect was arrested.

Isa stated, “On that day, there was an attack on our facility at Owerrinta shortly after midnight. The assailants arrived in about three Hilux vehicles and opened fire on our facility.”

“Our personnel repelled the attack. However, the assailants used dynamite to blow off our roof. In their attempt to release detainees, they opened fire, resulting in the tragic death of a female suspect.”

“Following the incident, we pursued the suspects using technical methods and successfully arrested one individual. The police are currently interrogating him to identify other accomplices. We are making progress.”

Unconfirmed reports suggest the female detainee killed during the attack had been detained in connection with a child trafficking case.