Anambra Police Nab Alleged Gang Member Over 2023 Kidnap, Murder Case

The Anambra State Police Command has apprehended a 25-year-old man, Olisa Oyelu, popularly known as “Obele”, over his alleged involvement in a 2023 kidnapping operation that resulted in the death of the victim.

Oyelu was also accused of belonging to an armed robbery and kidnapping gang allegedly headed by a suspect known as “Pincode”.

The arrest was carried out in the early hours of Wednesday, September 23, by operatives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department following prolonged intelligence gathering and investigation.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday.

He said Oyelu was allegedly the last identified member of the gang still at large in connection with the incident.

The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command Operatives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department in the early hours of September 23 have arrested Olisa Oyelu alias ‘Obele’ ‘M’, aged 25 years, the last identified member of the notorious armed robbery and kidnapping gang led by a suspected criminal known as ‘Pincode’, in connection with a 2023 kidnapping incident which resulted in the death of the victim.

“The Command, at the conclusion of the investigative proceedings, shall hand over Olisa Oyelu to the Correctional Centre where Pincode and four others are already remanded, awaiting the judgement of the court. The arrest followed sustained intelligence gathering and painstaking investigation by Police operatives.

“The suspect is alleged to have been an active member of the gang involved in the kidnapping operation. Following the incident, the Police commenced an extensive investigation aimed at identifying, arresting and prosecuting all persons connected with the crime.

“The Command notes that the arrest represents a significant development in the ongoing investigation and reiterates its commitment to ensuring that all persons found to have participated in the crime are brought to justice.”

Ikenga said the suspect would be transferred to the correctional centre after the conclusion of the ongoing investigation, where Pincode and four other alleged gang members are already being held pending the determination of their case.

Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Ama, commended the police operatives for their persistence and intelligence-driven investigation that led to the arrest.

Ama assured residents that the Command would continue its efforts to track down suspected criminals operating within and outside the state and ensure they face the law.

He also called on members of the public to provide credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that maintaining security requires cooperation between law enforcement agencies and citizens.