Police Arrest Two for Kidnapping, Armed Robbery in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects allegedly involved in a reported case of Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, and Attempted Murder of a victim in Umudioka, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.

According to PUNCH on 25 June 2025, the suspects, identified as Onele Solomon, popularly known as “Federal”, and Simeon Chidera, also known as “Chaplet”, both aged 23, were arrested after a victim who escaped from their den reported the incident to the police.

The two suspects are part of a criminal syndicate that specialises in luring unsuspecting victims with false claims of selling land, only to abduct, rob, and assault them.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the arrests were made by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad in the early hours of the day.

Ikenga stated, “The suspects were allegedly involved in a reported case of Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, and Attempted Murder where the victim escaped from a criminal den in Umudioka, Dunukofia Local Government Area.

“The two suspects, Onele Solomon a.k.a. Federal and Simeon Chidera a.k.a. Chaplet, and other accomplices who are currently at large, specialise in deceiving victims under the pretense of land sales.

“On 31 May 2025, they abducted a victim, stole his belongings, inflicted machete injuries, and held him hostage while demanding ransom from his family members.”

Fortunately, the victim managed to escape and reported the case, leading to the arrests.

The police have since activated further operations to apprehend the remaining members of the gang and dismantle the entire criminal network in the area.

Ikenga assured that the Anambra State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of residents by tackling criminal syndicates across the state.