Men of the Nigeria Police Force in Anambra State have arrested a Soldier with the Nigerian Army, Dominic Oraz for alleged kidnapping in the state, according to Anambra State Police Command, the suspect confessed he deserted from the Nigerian Army or absconded from military duties since November 2024, adding, four suspected members of the Biafra secessionist armed group have been shot dead in a joint operation with the operatives of Agunaechemba local vigilante group that lasted over 15 hours at Awa community in the Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, “in a sustained effort to rid Anambra State of criminal elements, Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu in collaboration with the Anambra State Vigilante Group (AVG), Agunechemba, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a Secessionist/Terrorist camp at Awa, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State in the early hours of 21st August 2025.
During the well-coordinated operation that lasted for more than 15 hours, the operatives successfully dislodged the insurgents, rescued a victim who had earlier been kidnapped and held hostage in the camp. It was reported that despite the payment of a ransom of ₦20,000,000.00 only by the victim’s family, the hoodlums aborted his release until he was eventually freed by the Joint Security Team.
In the fierce gun battle that ensued, 4 of the criminal elements were neutralized. Exhibits recovered at the camp include: 2 pump action guns, One fabricated AK-47 rifle, One K2 assault rifle, One locally made hunter gun, One radio transmission box, 3 locally made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), 2 empty gas cylinders, 2 wraps of cable wires, 3 bags of 50 kg rice, one driver’s license, One National Identity Card, One black Lexus RX 350 Jeep with Registration Number ACA 340 MA, 3 Toyota Camry cars with Registration Number: ABC 268 FQ, EKY 151 CD and FGG 706 ME.
Also recovered are: One black Toyota Camry car, 5 mobile phones (Infinix X6716B, Tecno Spark KL4 and 3 analogue phones), Sleeping materials, one desert boot, one big cooler, and a roll of tarpaulin.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu while assuring Ndi Anambra that the Command remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring safety and security has assured that extensive operations are ongoing in the area to track down and arrest other fleeing suspects as well as destroy other criminal camps in the State. Further developments would be communicated in due course”, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Police Command stated this in a press release on 29th August, 2025.
In a seperate press release issued earlier on Tuesday, Tuchukwu said; “the Anambra State Police Command, in a swift operation on 27th August 2025, arrested five suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate following a report that a victim was abducted on his farmland at Isiagu, Awka, and later released after ransom was paid.
Acting on credible intelligence, Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu stormed the hideout of the suspects at Notoko, Awka, which led to the arrest of the following persons: Michael Nwobodo ‘Male’ 30 years, Eze Friday ‘Male’ 29 years, Uche Okolo ‘Male’ 23 years, Chinedu Gilbert ‘Male’ 29 years and Dominic Oraz ‘Male’ 38 years (a confessed deserter of the Nigerian Army).
Exhibits recovered from the suspects include: 6 automatic pump-action guns, 63 rounds of live cartridges, one microscope, 5 machetes, one military cap, 2 police teargas canisters, Handcuffs, A robber’s rocket launcher, criminal charms, 3 Motorola walkie-talkies, One jack knife, One power bank and Cash sum of ₦26,000.00 only.
During interrogation, one of the suspects, Dominic Oraz, confessed to having deserted the Nigerian Army in November 2024. Meanwhile, necessary enquiries have commenced with the authority to guide Police action and prosecution of other suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, while commending the operatives for their gallantry, urged residents to remain law-abiding and vigilant and to continue to report suspicious activities to the Police for prompt action.
He also assured Ndi Anambra of the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating violent crimes”, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer,
Anambra State Police Command stated this on 28th August, 2025.