The Anambra State Police Command has recorded another breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against crime with the successful rescue of a Nigerian man based in South Africa who was abducted in Enugu State.
The victim was freed during a police-led joint security operation in Isulo, located in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, joint security operatives attached to the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Aguata, rescued the victim in the early hours of Thursday, January 15, 2026. The rescue occurred during a routine visibility patrol along the Isulo axis of Orumba South LGA.
According to the statement, the victim was immediately debriefed after his rescue and disclosed that he hails from Obinagu–Isikweachi in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, although he currently resides in South Africa.
He reportedly explained that he had returned to Enugu State to celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivities with his family when he was kidnapped from his hometown on the evening of January 1, 2026. The abduction, he said, was carried out by six armed men who concealed their identities with masks.
The police spokesperson further revealed that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦40 million from the victim’s wife and other family members while keeping him in captivity.
However, after spending more than two weeks in detention, the victim managed to escape from the kidnappers’ hideout. His escape coincided with the joint security patrol, leading to his eventual rescue and the end of his ordeal.
SP Ikenga added that the victim has since been thoroughly debriefed and safely reunited with his family.
The Anambra State Police Command also stated that operatives are currently acting on credible intelligence provided by the victim to track down the kidnappers, locate and dismantle their hideouts, and arrest everyone involved in the crime.
The command reaffirmed its dedication to proactive policing and intelligence-driven operations, assuring residents of Anambra State that sustained pressure will continue against criminal elements to ensure the safety of lives and property.