Police Recover Bodies Of Two Abducted Women From Anambra River

The Anambra State Police Command has retrieved the decomposed remains of two Cameroonian women who had been reported missing and are believed to have been victims of a kidnapping.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson for the command, verified this development in a statement issued on Saturday, November 29, 2025, noting that the decomposed bodies were recovered from the Omambala River located in Anambra West Local Government Area.

According to the police public relations officer, these victims were part of a group consisting of three Cameroonian women who had been missing for a period of time.

The police command had previously initiated an investigation that resulted in the apprehension of two suspects—Nonso Augustine Akpeh, aged 37, and Kingsley Akpeh, aged 44—both of whom have been providing investigative leads, while a third suspect remains at large.

Ikenga stated that following the recovery, police operatives promptly notified the family of the abducted women, and the relatives unequivocally identified the retrieved bodies as belonging to Mrs. Bognou Alice, the wife of one family member, and Miss Sandra, his niece.

Furthermore, he indicated that the State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, has instructed that efforts to locate and recover the third missing victim be intensified.

“The Anambra State Police Command wishes to update the public on the ongoing investigation into the alleged kidnapping of three Cameroonian women in the State,” the statement read.

“Recall that Police investigators had earlier arrested two suspects: Nonso Augustine Akpeh ‘M’, 37 years old, and Kingsley Akpeh ‘M’, 44 years old, who are currently assisting operatives with vital information.

“In continuation of these efforts, on the evening of 28th November 2025, Police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, working in collaboration with professional river divers and local volunteers, conducted an intensive search along the Omambala River in Anambra West Local Government Area.

“During the operation, the team recovered two (2) female decomposed bodies believed to be victims of the kidnapping incident.

“The operatives immediately contacted the family of the kidnapped victims, who positively identified the recovered bodies as his wife Mrs. Bognou Alice and his niece Miss Sandra.

“Both bodies have been deposited in a mortuary for further examination and necessary investigative procedures.

“To this end, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc, mnips, PhD, while extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends, has ordered intensified search efforts to recover the remaining missing victim.

“He has also directed all units involved to strengthen operational activities aimed at apprehending the third suspect, Uchenna Nicholas Mmadu, who is currently on the run, to ensure he faces the full weight of the law.

“The Commissioner further reassures the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives, maintaining security, and delivering justice.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli