Police arrest armed robbery suspect in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old armed robbery suspect identified as Ugochukwu Uzor during a major offensive operation at Iyiowa Odekpe in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the suspect was arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, after he was heavily injured during an operation on Monday.

In a press statement released on Wednesday, the Command’s Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said that during the arrest, one locally made Beretta pistol and 11 live ammunition rounds were recovered from the suspect.

Ikenga said upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being the leader of several criminal gangs operating across Anambra and neighbouring states.

He added that the suspect also revealed his involvement in the abduction and subsequent murder of a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Azuka Justice, on December 24, 2024.

The statement read in part, “In a significant development, Anambra State Police, through operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, successfully arrested a notorious and heavily injured armed robber during a major offensive operation in Ogbaru Local Government Area on December 8, 2025.

“The suspect, identified as Ugochukwu Uzor, a 26-year-old male, is a dangerous criminal with a long history of violent offences.

“He was apprehended in Iyiowa Odekpe, Ogbaru LGA, after a fierce confrontation with the Police Operatives. During the operation, one locally made Beretta pistol and eleven live ammunition rounds were recovered.

“Uzor, who is known for his violent criminal activities, was found to have a large tattoo on his body with the inscriptions ‘No Forgiveness’ + ‘No Mercy’, a disturbing reminder of the hardened nature of his criminal mindset.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being the leader of several criminal gangs operating across Anambra and neighbouring states.

“He also revealed his involvement in the abduction and subsequent murder of Azuka Justice, a distinguished member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, on December 24, 2024.

“The murder of Hon. Justice shocked the state and drew widespread condemnation.”

According to Ikenga, the arrest of Ugochukwu Uzor represents a significant breakthrough in the fight against violent crime and will assist in further investigations to dismantle criminal syndicates operating within the State.

“The Command, however, urges the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the continued fight against crime.

In another crime-related incident, PUNCH Online reported that the Anambra State Police Command arrested one Emmanuel Osuigwe, described as a suspected member of a proscribed secessionist group, during an intelligence-led operation in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state.