The Anambra State Police Command has arrested four additional suspects in connection with the killing of three Cameroonian nationals in the state.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped in November 2025, murdered, and their bodies dumped in a river in Anambra West Local Government Area. Days later, police operatives recovered their decomposing bodies from the river.
Following the incident, the police launched an investigation which initially led to the arrest of two suspects who were said to be providing useful information to investigators.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed in a statement on Monday that the confessions of the two suspects already in custody helped security operatives to arrest four more suspects on February 13, 2026.
Ikenga said the suspects were arrested during a raid on a shrine in Nando community, Anambra East Local Government Area, after a gun battle with police operatives.
He identified the suspects as Chukwuemeka Emmanuel, also known as “Ugoebenajah,” 27, said to be a chief priest of the shrine; Nwabunne Bright, 27; Chinecherem Chiama, 21; and Michael Ekwunife, 38.
According to him, items recovered during the operation included two pump-action guns, a locally made Beretta pistol, a machete, assorted charms, 10 live cartridges and five live 9mm ammunition.
Ikenga said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, carried out the operation after mobilising to the location based on intelligence obtained from the earlier suspects.
He added that about 30 men were sighted at the shrine and allegedly opened fire on the police team, forcing operatives to respond in a gun duel.
During the exchange, the prime suspect, Uchenna Mmaduamaka Nicholas, a native of Oroma Etiti Anam, reportedly escaped with other gang members, some of whom sustained bullet wounds.
Ikenga also revealed that one of the arrested suspects was shot in the thigh during the operation and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
He said the suspects are currently being interrogated, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.
The police spokesperson reaffirmed the command’s commitment to public safety and urged residents to continue providing credible information to support investigations.
He added that further updates would be communicated in due course.
It would be recalled that on November 29, 2025, the police announced the recovery of two decomposing bodies believed to be those of the missing Cameroonian women from a river in Anambra West LGA. The command also confirmed the earlier arrest of Nonso Augustine Akpeh, 37, and Kingsley Akpeh, 44, while another suspect was said to be at large.
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