Police rescue South Africa-based Nigerian abducted in Anambra

Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have successfully rescued a man who was abducted earlier this month during a routine visibility patrol in the Isulo area of Orumba South Local Government Area of the state.

The rescued individual, identified as a Nigerian citizen based in South Africa and a native of Obinagu–Isikweachi in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, was reportedly kidnapped on January 1, 2026.

Confirming the development in a press statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the victim was seized from his hometown by six armed men who concealed their identities with face masks.

According to Ikenga, police-led joint security operatives attached to the Forward Operating Base, Aguata, rescued the victim during a routine patrol on Thursday.

READ ALSO: Police intercept massive explosives in Kano

The statement read in part, “Police-led joint security operatives attached to the Forward Operating Base, Aguata, in the early hours of January 15, 2026, while on routine visibility patrol around the Isulo axis of Orumba South Local Government Area, Anambra State, successfully rescued a kidnapped victim.

“The victim disclosed that he is a Nigerian citizen and native of Obinagu–Isikweachi, Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, but is currently based in South Africa.

“He was abducted on January 1, 2026, in the evening hours, from his hometown by a gang of six armed men who reportedly covered their faces with masks.

“The victim further revealed that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of ₦40 million from his wife and relatives.

“He, however, managed to escape from the kidnappers’ den, leading to his eventual rescue by the joint security operatives.”

Ikenga added that the victim was thoroughly debriefed after his rescue and has since been reunited with his family.

He further stated that security operatives are currently acting on intelligence supplied by the victim to track down and dismantle the kidnappers’ hideout in the area, as well as apprehend those behind the crime.

“Meanwhile, the operatives are actively working with actionable intelligence provided by the victim to identify and dislodge the criminal hideout within the area and arrest those responsible.

“The Anambra State Police Command continues to reiterate its commitment to sustaining proactive policing.

“Further developments shall be communicated, please,” he added.
Punch Online had earlier reported that the Anambra State Police Command arrested two suspected armed robbers linked to a proscribed secessionist group after a two-hour gun battle at Enugwu-Agidi Junction in Dunukofia Local Government Area.

Ikenga had said the suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Wednesday following a shootout with a five-man robbery gang, describing the arrest as another major boost to the command’s efforts to curb crime and safeguard lives and property in the state.