The police in Anambra State have apprehended two suspects in connection with the disturbing kidnap and murder of a female bank manager in Onitsha. The alleged perpetrators reportedly collected a ransom of N14 million from the victim's family before committing the murder. The victim's lifeless body was subsequently discovered on January 13, 2025, along Nnobi Road, blindfolded, despite the ransom payment.

According to police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga, a Superintendent of Police, the suspects were identified as Monday Egbe, 32, and Kenneth Nnoga, 28. The arrests were made on May 28, 2025, after diligent investigations led police operatives to their hideout in a neighbouring state. Mr. Ikenga stated that the suspects allegedly murdered the victim on January 13, 2025, the same day her body was found.

The arrested individuals, Messrs Egbe and Nnoga, are currently undergoing intensive interrogation. This process aims to provide more insights into the modus operandi of their criminal gang and facilitate the possible arrest of other gang members. The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has reassured the public that the state police command remains committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property of residents. He also affirmed that all cases would be pursued to a logical conclusion to ensure justice is served.

This case brings into focus Nigeria's stringent laws against such heinous crimes. Kidnapping is outlawed under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (2022). This legislation prescribes a death sentence for kidnapping incidents that result in the victim's death and life imprisonment in cases where the victim survives. This Act was an amendment to the now-defunct Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (2013), which had stipulated a 10-year jail term for kidnapping. Furthermore, the current Act mandates at least a 15-year jail term for any individual who pays ransom to secure the release of kidnapped victims.

Similarly, murder is explicitly outlawed in Section 315 (6) of Nigeria's Criminal Code Act. Upon conviction, offenders face the death sentence, as stipulated in Section 319 (1) of the same Act. Nigeria's judicial system has seen several convictions for such crimes. For instance, in January 2022, a High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, sentenced a man named Muritala Dare to death by hanging for stabbing his colleague to death. In another notable case, an Ikeja Special Offences Court, in September 2022, sentenced kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, to 21 years imprisonment for kidnapping.

The swift action by the Anambra State Police Command in apprehending the suspects has been acknowledged as a step towards justice for the victim and her family, and it demonstrates the command's dedication to tackling crime and ensuring public safety within the state. The authorities have reiterated their commitment to bringing all perpetrators involved in this case to justice.