NIGERIA: 19-Year-Old Suspected Kidnapper Arrested For Killing Victim In Anambra

Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 19-year-old man, Chimaobi Mbonu, for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and subsequent death of George Onwurah in Ndiukwuenu village, Orumba North Local Government Area.

Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed that the arrest was made on Thursday by operatives from Awgbu Divisional Headquarters with the support of local community members.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Mbonu and his gang members, some of whom remain at large, kidnapped and tortured the victim after collecting ransom payments.

The gang is also suspected of vandalizing the Community Health Care Centre in the area, stealing electrical materials and other valuables.

Ikenga said: “Police Operatives attached to the Awgbu Divisional Headquarters, leveraging on community support on 12th June, 2025, by 10.20 am, arrested one Chimaobi Mbonu ‘m’ aged 19 years. The suspect, allegedly a member of a kidnapping gang, was involved in the abduction and murder of the late Onwurah in May 2024 at Ndiukwuenu village, Orumba North Local Government Area.”

He further explained; “Preliminary information revealed that the said Chimaobi and some other gang members still at large kidnapped and tortured their victims to death after collecting ransom. The criminal gang is also responsible for the vandalization of the Community Health Care Centre, where they stole a lot of electrical materials and other valuables.

“Given the above, the operatives have emplaced operational plans to arrest other gang members who are currently at large.”