Police say kidnap attempt foiled on Anambra road; no arrests reported
- Police in Anambra say armed men blocked the Ogbakuba–Ossomala Road and opened fire on Tuesday afternoon.
- A joint security team disrupted the attack around 1:15 pm and no victims were taken, the command said.
- Separately, Kogi vigilantes rescued seven captives in Okene forest and stopped another attempt at Zariagi.
Police in Anambra State say they stopped an attempted kidnapping on the Ogbakuba–Ossomala Road in Ogbaru Local Government Area on Tuesday afternoon.
The state police command's spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the incident happened at about 1:15 pm. According to the command, armed men said to be carrying AK-47 rifles blocked the road and fired sporadically in what looked like an attempt to seize road users.
A joint security team disrupted the attack, the police said. The team was in the area on what the command described as ongoing operations against armed secessionist groups.
Ikenga said the operatives' quick response "successfully foiled the attempted abduction." The police did not say how many people were on the road at the time, whether anyone was hurt, or whether any arrests were made. The command said further updates would come as necessary.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, praised the operatives for their promptness and professionalism. He restated the command's commitment to intelligence-led operations aimed at breaking up criminal networks and preventing kidnappings.
Residents and travellers were urged to stay alert, report suspicious movements and cooperate with security operatives. The police said operations in the area are continuing.
Why it matters for travellers
Roads in parts of the South East have seen repeated attacks on motorists in recent years, and many travellers now avoid night journeys or pay for extra security. Any disruption on a busy route raises the cost and risk of moving people and goods, which can feed into transport fares and food prices.
The police statement did not name any group as responsible, and no suspect has been convicted over Tuesday's incident.
Similar operations in Kogi
In Kogi State, the state Vigilante Service said it rescued seven kidnapped victims from the Overe Forest in Okene Local Government Area on Sunday, 18 October.
The service's spokesman, Idris S. Idris, said operatives acted on intelligence with local hunters and found the kidnappers' hideout. The kidnappers opened fire but were overpowered, he said, and fled into the forest with suspected gunshot wounds, leaving the captives behind.
In a second operation the same day, vigilantes at Zariagi, along Kabba Junction, foiled an attempt at about 2:12 am at the Deeper Life Camp after a distress call, Idris said. The suspected kidnappers fled after a gun duel.
The Comptroller-General of the service, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Anataku, commended the operatives and thanked Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his support. He asked residents to keep passing timely information to security agencies.
What happens next
Police in Anambra say patrols and operations in Ogbaru will continue. Travellers on the Ogbakuba–Ossomala route should expect security checks and are advised to report anything unusual.
