The arrests, which took place late Wednesday, have sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the infiltration of criminal elements into even the ranks of the military.

The Anambra State Police Command announced the breakthrough on Thursday, revealing that the five-man gang had been terrorizing residents, culminating in the recent abduction of a local farmer in Isiagu, Awka. 

The victim was held captive until family members paid an undisclosed ransom for his release, according to police statements.

Leading the arrested individuals is 38-year-old Dominic Oraz, a confessed deserter from the Nigerian Army who abandoned his post in November 2024. 

His accomplices include Michael Nwobodo, 30; Eze Friday, 29; Uche Okolo, 23; and Chinedu Gilbert, 29. 

All suspects hail from various parts of Anambra and neighboring states, and authorities believe they formed a well-organized group specializing in high-risk abductions and robberies.

The raid was spearheaded by the Command’s elite Rapid Response Squad (RRS) based in Awkuzu, acting on credible intelligence about the gang’s latest kidnapping operation. 

Officers stormed the suspects’ hideout in the Notoko area of Awka around midnight on August 27, catching the criminals off guard and recovering a cache of weapons and incriminating items.

 Among the seized materials were six automatic pump-action guns, 63 rounds of live cartridges, five machetes, a military cap, two police teargas canisters, handcuffs, a robber’s rocket launcher, criminal charms, three Motorola walkie-talkies, a jack knife, a power bank, and N26,000 in cash. 

One particularly unusual item—a microscope—was also confiscated, though its role in the crimes remains unclear.In a statement released to the press, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer for Anambra Command, detailed Oraz’s admission of desertion and emphasized the collaborative investigation underway with military authorities. 

“The involvement of a military deserter in such heinous acts is deeply concerning,” Ikenga said. 

“We are working closely with the Nigerian Army to ensure thorough probes and appropriate prosecutions. This arrest demonstrates our zero-tolerance policy towards violent crimes.”

Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu praised the RRS operatives for their swift and professional execution of the operation, which was initiated immediately after reports of the farmer’s abduction surfaced. 

“This success is a testament to the vigilance of our officers and the value of community intelligence,” Orutugu remarked. 

He urged residents to remain alert and report any suspicious activities, reaffirming the Command’s dedication to eradicating kidnapping and armed robbery from Anambra’s streets. 

“We will not rest until every criminal element is brought to justice,” he added.

The arrests come amid a surge in kidnapping incidents across southeastern Nigeria, where economic hardships and porous borders have fueled the rise of such syndicates. 

Investigations continue, with the suspects remanded in custody as police prepare to charge them in court.

Local residents in Awka expressed relief but also apprehension. “We’ve lived in fear for too long,” said one anonymous farmer from Isiagu. “It’s good to see the police acting decisively, but we need more to prevent this from happening again.” 

As the case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing law enforcement in protecting vulnerable communities.