Anambra Police Intensify Bush-Comb Operations, Target Criminal Hideouts

The Anambra State Police Command has intensified its offensive against criminal groups operating across different parts of the state. The operation involves joint security teams conducting sustained bush-combing and clearance exercises in identified forests, bushes and suspected criminal hideouts. The initiative is aimed at preventing criminals from using remote locations as safe havens and strengthening security in communities facing persistent threats. The command said the operations form part of its intelligence-driven strategy to disrupt criminal networks and prevent further security challenges.

The operations are being led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Harrison Oruruo, with personnel drawn from other security agencies and Aguanachemba operatives. According to the police, the joint teams are systematically searching identified locations and suspected criminal enclaves to ensure that armed groups cannot regroup or escape into neighbouring areas. The coordinated approach is also intended to improve intelligence sharing and strengthen cooperation among the different security formations involved in the exercise.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, reaffirmed the command’s determination to sustain the offensive against criminal elements through intelligence-led policing and continuous operational activities. He explained that the exercise was not a one-time operation but part of a broader security strategy designed to consolidate existing achievements, protect lives and property, and create a safer environment for residents. He also assured the public that security operatives would maintain pressure on criminal groups until their activities were effectively curtailed.

The police command urged residents to remain vigilant and support ongoing security operations by providing credible and timely information about suspicious movements and criminal activities. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Awka on October 31, 2026. The command maintained that cooperation between residents and security agencies remains essential to achieving lasting peace and preventing criminals from establishing hideouts within the state.