The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, has given a breakdown on how police operatives of the command rescued a kidnapped medical doctor, Dr Edwin Emegakor, and four others from their captors.
Recall that Emegakor, the Medical Director of Crown Multi-Specialist Hospital, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area, was reportedly abducted from his hospital on May 7, 2026, and was rescued alongside four others by security operatives on May 10, thereby spending three days in captivity.
Orutugu, during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Awka, on Wednesday, disclosed that their rescue was made possible through intelligence-led policing following a fierce gun battle between police operatives and the armed criminals in their den at Obosi, in Idemili LGA of the state.
The CP said that, during the operation, one police officer was killed, and two others sustained gunshot injuries in the exchange of gunfire.
According to him, the operatives also killed two armed suspects and recovered one locally made pistol, 100 GPMG ammunition, 23 expended ammunition, and three vehicles, including one silver RX 350 Lexus belonging to one of the rescued victims and others allegedly stolen, but used by the gang members for their criminal operations.
He added that the state police Command remains steadfast in its constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property and to sustain ongoing efforts to make the State safer for all residents.
He said, “This press briefing became necessary to inform Ndi Anambra and the general public on some significant operational achievements recently recorded by the Command in our intensified offensive against kidnapping, cultism, armed violence, child trafficking, sexual offences, and other criminal activities across the State.
“Today, I am pleased to brief Ndi Anambra and the general public on some significant operational achievements recently recorded by the Command in our intensified offensive against kidnapping, cultism, armed violence, child trafficking, sexual offences, and other criminal activities across the state.
“In a major operational breakthrough, operatives of the Command successfully on May 10, 2026, rescued four kidnapped victims, including the Chief Medical Director of Crown Hospital, Nkpor, three days after the victims were abducted, following an intense tactical operation against the armed kidnapping gang.
“The rescue followed a fierce gun battle between police operatives and the armed criminals in their den at Obosi.
“During the operation, the operatives neutralised two armed suspects and recovered one locally made pistol, 100 GPMG ammunition, 23 expended ammunition, and three vehicles, including one silver Lexus RX 350 belonging to one of the rescued victims and others allegedly stolen, but used by the gang members for their criminal operations.
“Regrettably, the Command recorded one fatal injury to a Police personnel during the exchange of gunfire. The officer paid the supreme sacrifice in active service to the nation.
“The Command honours his courage, gallantry, and dedication to duty, as well thanks the state government on the promise to take care of the late officer’s family and hospital expenses of the two other injured officers currently responding to medical treatment.”
The CP said the operatives have also cordoned off the building where the victims were rescued in view of the reaction of the people in the area who attempted to burn it down.
He said these successes were made possible through intelligence-led policing, operational resilience of officers, and actionable information from Ndi Anambra and residents alike.
