Suspected Kingpin Behind Minna Lad Kidnap Arrested

By Joseph Sunday

Suspected Kingpin behind the kidnap of a lad boy who was kidnapped in Minna State before he was located in Anambra State has been arrested by the officers of the Anambra State Police Command.

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Parading the suspected kidnap kingpin on Tuesday at the Anambra State Police Command headquarters in Awka, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, in the press release signed by him, due to the information given the Anambra Police Command, shows readiness in relaying information about the custodian of the Child in Minna to the Niger State Police Command for possible recovery and reuniting with the parents.

Adding, Tochukwu said, in a decisive move to unravel the mysterious disappearance of children in the State, especially in Oba and its environs, Police Operatives attached to the Oba Division on 11th August 2025, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Ngozi Muotuanya, female, of Awkuzu-Oba aged 63 years.

Tochukwu explained further that the preliminary investigations revealed that sometime in 2024, the suspect allegedly stole a male child, aged about one year, in Minna, Niger State, and sold him to an unsuspecting member of the public in Anambra State. The said suspect later resold the child to another person.

However, on 4th August 2025, the receiver, upon realizing that the child had been stolen, returned him to the principal suspect. The suspect, in turn, allegedly abandoned the child at an unascertained church in Minna, where he was rescued by the Leader of the Igbo Community in Minna.

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Meanwhile, the Command has relayed information about the custodian of the Child in Minna to the Niger State Police Command for possible recovery and reunification with his parents and other necessary action.

The suspect shall be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Awka for discreet investigation and prosecution.

In a similar development, the Anambra Police Command has condemned a trending malicious video circulating on the Social Media, aimed at tarnishing the image of the Command by alleging non-compliance with arrest protocols.

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The Anambra Command however described the video as the handiwork of mischief makers, deliberately recorded and shared with bloggers in an attempt to evade justice.

Putting the records straight, the Police Spokesperson for Anambra Police Command, SP Ikenga Tochukwu said, “state intelligence operatives of the command, acting on credible intelligence, raided a compound at Ifite, Awka, where suspected internet fraudsters and cult members were reportedly operating.

“Upon sighting the operatives, the suspects resisted arrest, locked themselves inside, and refused entry, even after the operatives had properly identified themselves, as requested by the suspects.

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“In line with due processes, the suspects were served arraignment notices and later granted bail to allow operatives to complete the necessary court correspondence. This was in compliance with the legal requirement of not keeping suspects in custody beyond 48 hours without arraignment.

“With regard to the allegation of paying certain amounts for bail, the Command will investigate the claims. However, any complainant with credible evidence to aid the inquiries is advised to come forward with such proofs.

“Meanwhile, the suspects scheduled for arraignment include “Chiemerie Chukwuma, Makuochukwu Ikegwuonu, Okeke Uzochukwu, Uchendu Precious Ikenna, Uchenna Mmaduachi Emmanuel, Arinze Duruma, Ugochukwu Isreal and Emmanuel Chimuanya”.

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“The Anambra State Police Command reiterates its unwavering commitment to professionalism, transparency, and adherence to due process in all its operations. The Command hereby warns individuals and groups who attempt to mislead the public or obstruct law enforcement that they will face the full weight of the law”.

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