The Anambra State Police Command has arrested one Bernard Odinchefu, a 62-year-old male suspect and alleged informant of a secessionist group, said to be anchoring a major extortion network operating in parts of the Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that the suspect is in charge of the collection of illegal levies from traders in Isseke and Orsumoghu communities, where he collects ₦10,000 and above monthly from each trader and ₦100,000 and above from families conducting burial ceremonies.
In a statement on Thursday, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect remits the illegal proceeds to his commander in a terrorist camp.
Ikenga added that he was arrested by police operatives attached to Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, on Wednesday.
He said, “Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu, on October 1, 2025, arrested one Bernard Odinchefu, a 62-year-old male suspect and alleged informant of a secessionist group, anchoring a major extortion network operating in parts of Ihiala Local Government Area.
“Preliminary information revealed that the suspect is in charge of illegal levies on traders in Isseke and Orsumoghu communities, collecting ₦10,000 and above monthly from each trader and extorting ₦100,000 and above from families conducting burial ceremonies before the occasion or any such related event takes place in the area.
“The illicit proceeds were allegedly remitted to his Commander in a terrorist camp. The suspect is in custody, and further investigation is ongoing.
“To this end, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, assures residents of the Command’s continued commitment to dismantling criminal structures linked to insurgent groups.”
He emphasised that the arrest is part of the ongoing efforts to rid the State of elements exploiting innocent citizens under the guise of agitation.
PUNCH Online reports that on August 3, 2025, the Anambra State Police Command raided a secessionist camp in Awa, Orumba North Local Government Area, killing four suspected members and rescuing a kidnapped victim.
The command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement, said the operation was carried out by the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, in collaboration with the state Vigilante Group, Agunechemba, on August 21, 2025.
Ikenga explained that the joint security team, acting on credible intelligence, stormed the camp in an operation that lasted more than 15 hours.
He said the team successfully dislodged the insurgents and freed a victim who had been held hostage despite a ₦20m ransom paid by his family.
According to the statement, items recovered from the camp included “Two pump action guns, one fabricated AK-47 rifle, one K2 assault rifle, one locally made hunter gun, three locally made IEDs, two empty gas cylinders, a radio transmission box, cable wires, three bags of rice, vehicles, phones, identity cards, and other personal belongings.”
The State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, assured residents that the command remains committed to security in the state.
He said extensive operations were ongoing to track down fleeing suspects and destroy other criminal hideouts.
The police added that further developments would be communicated in due course.
PUNCH.
