The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man, Olisa Oyelu, also known as “Obele,” over his alleged involvement in a 2023 kidnapping and armed robbery operation that resulted in the death of a victim.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.
Ikenga said Oyelu was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday, September 23, by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department following sustained intelligence gathering and investigation.
According to the police, Oyelu was allegedly an active member of a notorious kidnapping and armed robbery gang led by a suspected criminal known as “Pincode.”
Ikenga said Oyelu was the last identified member of the gang to be arrested in connection with the 2023 kidnapping incident.
He said the suspect’s alleged involvement in the operation was uncovered during the investigation into the incident, which resulted in the death of the victim.
The PPRO said the police launched an extensive investigation after the incident to identify, arrest and prosecute all those connected with the crime.
Ikenga added that Oyelu would be handed over to the correctional centre after the conclusion of the investigation.
He said Pincode and four other suspects were already in custody and awaiting the determination of the court.
The police spokesman described Oyelu’s arrest as a significant development in the investigation, adding that the command remained committed to ensuring that all persons found to have participated in the crime were brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Ama, commended the operatives for their perseverance and intelligence-led approach to the investigation.
Ama assured residents that the command would continue to pursue suspected criminals within and outside the state.
The CP also urged members of the public to provide the police with credible and timely information, noting that security was a shared responsibility.