The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a criminal syndicate linked to an Enugu State–based native doctor in connection with the abduction of a six-year-old girl.

The suspect, identified as Friday Akonobi, 28, was arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Force in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Council Area of Anambra State.

In a statement issued in Awka yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the arrest followed credible intelligence received by security operatives in the early hours of January 17, 2026.

According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that Akonobi was allegedly involved in the abduction of a six-year-old girl, Miss Ozioma Nwankwo, who was taken from Ikwo Local Council Area of Ebonyi State on May 10, 2025.

Ikenga said the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation that he carried out the act in collaboration with four other accomplices, who are currently on the run.

The police said the suspect claimed that the group operated as agents for an Enugu-based native doctor, Obieze Ezeani, also known as “Edey Play” or “Edey Show,” and that they were promised N1 million each for abducting young girls for him.

According to the statement, the suspect further alleged that the child was taken to Enugu, where the crime was carried out. The police did not disclose further details of the allegation.

Ikenga added that the native doctor mentioned in the case had since been arrested by operatives of the Enugu State Police Command, a development that has attracted widespread public attention following the circulation of related videos on social media.

The Anambra State Police Command assured members of the public that investigations were ongoing and that efforts had been intensified to arrest the remaining suspects.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all those involved in crimes against children are brought to justice, urging residents to continue to support the police with timely and credible information.