Police Bust Criminal Den in Ukpor, Arrest IPOB Suspect Linked to 2022 Policewoman’s Murder
By O'star Eze
In a significant breakthrough under Operation Udo Ga Chi – Zero Kidnapping, operatives of the Anambra State Police Command’s Rapid Response Squad/Anti-Kidnapping Unit have dismantled a criminal hideout in Ukpor, arresting a key suspect linked to the 2022 murder of a policewoman. The operation, conducted on April 25, 2025, targeted a criminal camp at Osumoghu Isieke Village, Ihiala Local Government Area, following credible intelligence.
The suspect, identified as Ewulu Chikwo, a 35-year-old male, was apprehended during the raid. Preliminary investigations revealed that Chikwo and his gang were allegedly planning to enforce an illegal sit-at-home order in the area on the following Monday. During interrogation, Chikwo confessed to being a member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and admitted his involvement in the 2022 attack on the Ukpor Divisional Police Headquarters, where Inspector Stella Maris was brutally killed.
The Anambra State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrest and reiterated the command’s commitment to rooting out criminal elements in the state. “This operation underscores our resolve to ensure zero tolerance for kidnapping and other criminal activities in Anambra,” Ikenga stated. He added that the Joint Security Force has intensified patrols in the area to maintain peace and prevent further criminal activities.
The police have also assured residents of swift action on any security-related information, particularly as efforts continue to apprehend other members of the gang. The command urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to aid ongoing operations.
This arrest marks a significant step in Anambra’s ongoing transformation from a state once plagued by insecurity to a safer, more secure destination, aligning with the state’s broader vision of social equity and sustainable development.
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