Gunmen abduct man returning from school run in Awka, Anambra. Police say operations are ongoing to rescue victim and arrest the SUV-riding assailants
Gunmen abduct man in a brazen daylight operation in the Okpuno area of Awka, Anambra State, on Friday morning.
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The victim, who was reportedly returning after dropping his children at school, was seized by three armed men operating in a stainless-coloured Toyota Highlander SUV without number plates.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen shot indiscriminately into the air, causing chaos in the area as pedestrians and motorists fled for safety.
The suspects quickly overpowered the victim and whisked him away from the scene before security forces could respond.
According to a statement released by the Anambra State Police Command, the abduction occurred around 27 June and was captured in a video that has since gone viral online.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident and assured the public that the command has launched immediate operations to rescue the victim and apprehend those responsible.
“The abduction of an unsuspecting member of the public in the early hours of today, 27th June 2025, at Awka, as captured in a trending video, is unfortunate,” the statement read.
“The three armed men operating in a stainless-coloured Highlander without a plate number shot indiscriminately and abducted the victim.
The command has assured that its operatives shall leave no stone unturned in making sure that the victim is rescued alive.”
The shocking nature of the incident has reignited public fears over growing insecurity in the region, especially around school zones and early morning traffic routes.
Residents are calling for stronger surveillance and quicker emergency response measures to prevent similar attacks in the future. For now, the identity of the victim remains undisclosed, and the abductors are still at large.
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The Anambra Police Command has urged the public to remain calm and report any suspicious movements or vehicles that could aid the investigation.
