The Anambra State Police Command has announced the rescue of a 13-year-old boy, Anayo Stephen, who was allegedly abducted in Imo State and found in Ideani, Anambra.
The command in a statement on Monday, said the teenager, from Ubaha-Akparu community in Ideato Local Government Area of Imo, was discovered by vigilante operatives at Ideani Junction after he reportedly escaped from his captors.
“According to the boy, on 9th August 2025, at about 3.00 p.m., while on his way to fetch grass for goats, four young men in a Hilux vehicle stopped him.
“They initially asked him for directions to a certain place in his area. However, unknown to him, they allegedly abducted him and took him to an undisclosed location.
“The boy further stated that while his captors were asleep with him in the bush, he managed to escape.
“While walking away from the scene, he met the vigilante operatives at Ideani Junction and narrated his ordeal. The victim speaks both Igbo and English fluently,” the Anambra police said.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the boy is in safe custody and urged the public, especially residents of Ideato, to help identify and reunite him with his family.
Meanwhile, the police in Akwa Ibom have killed an alleged notorious armed robbery gang leader, Imoh Akpan, from Ikot Uboh village in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, during a gun battle.
The spokesperson of the Command, DSP Timfon John, on Monday said that Akpan was in police custody and had been leading operatives to the gang’s hideout in Mbiaso village, which also served as their armoury, when the incident occurred.
The statement said, “On August 9, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., operatives of the Command successfully neutralised a suspected notorious armed robbery gang leader, Imoh Gavin Akpan, from Ikot Uboh village.
“Akpan, who had been a key figure in numerous armed robberies and acts of terror in Ikot Ekpene and its surrounding areas, was shot during an exchange of gunfire with police.
“The operation began when Akpan, who was in police custody, led the team to a hideout in Mbiaso village that served as the gang’s armoury. Upon arrival, the police were met with gunfire from other gang members.
“During the ensuing shootout, Akpan attempted to escape and was hit by a bullet. He was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment but was pronounced dead on arrival by a medical doctor. His body has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for an autopsy.”
John added that the investigation is ongoing and that efforts have been intensified to arrest the remaining members of the fleeing gang.
Items recovered from the hideout include a locally made shotgun, two expended cartridges, and one live cartridge.
