Police arrest man linked to 2023 kidnapping, murder - Punch Newspapers

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old suspected kidnapper, identified as Olisa Oyelu, also known as “Obele”, for kidnapping and armed robbery in connection with a 2023 kidnapping incident which resulted in the death of a victim. In a press statement released on Thursday, the Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the arrest followed sustained intelligence gathering and painstaking investigation by police operatives. Ikenga added that the police operatives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department arrested the suspect in the early hours of Wednesday. He said the suspect is alleged to have been an active member of the gang involved in the kidnapping operation, adding that he was a member of the notorious armed robbery and kidnapping gang led by a suspected criminal known as ‘Pincode’. According to him, the Command, at the conclusion of the investigative proceedings, shall hand over the suspect to the correctional centre where Pincode and four others are already remanded, awaiting the judgement of the court.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command Operatives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department in the early hours of September 23 have arrested Olisa Oyelu alias ‘Obele’ ‘M’, aged 25 years, the last identified member of the notorious armed robbery and kidnapping gang led by a suspected criminal known as ‘Pincode’, in connection with a 2023 kidnapping incident which resulted in the death of the victim. “The Command, at the conclusion of the investigative proceedings, shall hand over Olisa Oyelu to the Correctional Centre where Pincode and four others are already remanded, awaiting the judgement of the court. The arrest followed sustained intelligence gathering and painstaking investigation by Police operatives. “The suspect is alleged to have been an active member of the gang involved in the kidnapping operation. Following the incident, the Police commenced an extensive investigation aimed at identifying, arresting and prosecuting all persons connected with the crime. Umahi orders display of Tinubu’s pictures on First Niger Bridge Niger Bridge vandalism: Monitor scrap markets, Umahi tells Anambra, Delta govs Body of missing Anambra schoolboy recovered “The Command notes that the arrest represents a significant development in the ongoing investigation and reiterates its commitment to ensuring that all persons found to have participated in the crime are brought to justice.” Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Ama, commended the operatives for their perseverance, dedication and intelligence-led approach to the investigation. Ama assured Ndi Anambra that the Command would continue to pursue criminal elements within and outside the State until they are brought before the law. The Commissioner further urged members of the public to continue providing the Police with credible and timely information, noting that security remains a shared responsibility. On Monday, the Oyo State Police Command arrested a suspect in connection with a kidnap-and-kill threat made against a 50-year-old resident of Seni Salla Village, Saki and members of his family. The Command said the arrest followed a report received by the police and a subsequent intelligence-led intervention. The case was brought to the attention of the police on September 19, 2026, at about 6:20pm when the complainant, Metu Jilani, reported that he had received threatening telephone calls from unknown persons on September 13. Ikenna Obianeri Ikenna Obianeri is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over 10 years of experience in reporting and storytelling. He conducts incisive interviews, covers crime and environmental issues, and produces engaging feature stories tailored for digital audiences. Ikenna’s work reflects strong newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to impactful, audience-focused journalism

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