Anambra man arrested for kidnapping, killing victim despite collecting ransom

A 19-year-old identified as Chimaobi Mbonu has been arrested for kidnapping and killing one George Onwurah in Ndiukwuenu village, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state despite collecting ransom.

Mbonu and his gang members abducted and murdered the late Onwurah in May 2024, Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson for the Anambra Police Command said in a statement on Friday.

Ikenga said the Mbonu was arrested by operatives attached to the Awgbu Divisional Headquarters with the support of the community on Thursday.

The Police spokesperson said the suspect and some of his gang members still at large kidnapped and tortured their victim to death after collecting ransom.

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.

“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.”