Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command successfully foiled a kidnap attempt at Neni community in Anaocha Local Government Area, rescuing three victims, including a husband and wife.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, saw a group of hoodlums ambush the victims’ vehicles at Okacha Junction.

The perpetrators forced the victims into another vehicle and attempted to take them away. However, the police responded promptly after receiving a distress call from the scene.

According to an eyewitness account, suspected hoodlums trailed the victims and abruptly blocked their vehicles at Okacha Junction.

The eyewitness further stated that the assailants forced the victims into a different vehicle and were in the process of transporting them when law enforcement officers arrived at the scene. Following a pursuit, the alleged kidnappers released the victims and escaped in another vehicle.

Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson for the Anambra Police Command, confirmed the event, stating, “Police operatives from the Neni Divisional Headquarters responded quickly to a distress call along Okacha Junction on May 3, 2025, at 8:45 pm, foiling the kidnapping attempt. They rescued three victims, including a couple, and recovered one of the victims’ vehicles from the scene.”

The police also reported that the Joint Security Force, comprising the military, Civil Defence, and vigilantes, joined efforts to apprehend the suspects and recover a Black Lexus 350 SUV (Reg. No: ABJ 557 LD), which had been snatched from one of the victims and used by the kidnappers to flee.

The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies to maintain peace and safety in the state.