Police recover bodies of abducted Cameroonian women from Anambra river

The Anambra State Police Command says it has located the bodies of two women believed to be part of a trio of Cameroonian nationals reportedly abducted in the state.

According to the command, the remains were found in the Omambala River in the Anambra West Local Government Area.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, explained that the discovery came after a sustained search operation on Friday evening involving officers from the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu, professional divers and local volunteers.

He noted that the corpses had been taken to a mortuary for examination and further investigative action.

The statement read in part, “The Anambra State Police Command wishes to update the public on the ongoing investigation into the alleged kidnapping of three Cameroonian women in the state.

“Recall that police investigators had earlier arrested two suspects: Nonso Augustine Akpeh ‘M’, 37 years old, and Kingsley Akpeh ‘M’, 44 years old, who are currently assisting operatives with vital information.

“In continuation of these efforts, on the evening of 28th November 2025, police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, working in collaboration with professional river divers and local volunteers, conducted an intensive search along the Omambala River in Anambra West Local Government Area.

“During the operation, the team recovered two (2) female decomposed bodies believed to be victims of the kidnapping incident. The operatives immediately contacted the family of the kidnapped victims, who positively identified the recovered bodies as his wife, Mrs. Bognou Alice and his niece Miss Sandra.

“Both bodies have been deposited in a mortuary for further examination and necessary investigative procedures.”

Ikenga further stated that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has directed operatives to intensify efforts to locate the third missing woman and to track down the remaining suspect, identified as Uchenna Nicholas Mmadu, who is currently at large.

“The CP has also directed all units involved to strengthen operational activities aimed at apprehending the third suspect, Uchenna Nicholas Mmadu, who is currently on the run, to ensure he faces the full weight of the law.

“The Commissioner further reassures the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives, maintaining security, and delivering justice,” the statement said.