Teenager, 16, Arrested After Anambra Hotel Robbery as Two Suspects Escape

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 16-year-old boy over an alleged robbery at a hotel in Amansea, Awka North Local Government Area.

The suspect, Udochukwu Nwankwo, was arrested by officers attached to the B Division, Amansea, during a security patrol in the early hours of September 2, 2026.

Police said two other suspects allegedly involved in the robbery escaped and remain at large.

The command also announced the recovery of a shiny metallic lighter designed to resemble a pistol.

According to the police, the object was allegedly used to threaten a hotel guest during the robbery.

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Wednesday.

He said preliminary information showed that Nwankwo allegedly acted with two accomplices during the attack on the hotel guest.

The suspects allegedly took the victim’s mobile phone and other personal belongings, according to the police.

The command said the arrested teenager allegedly confessed during interrogation to using the recovered object to threaten victims during robbery.

Police described the recovered object as a metallic lighter designed in the semblance of a pistol.

Following the arrest, the command said it had intensified efforts to apprehend the two fleeing suspects.

Investigators are also working to recover the mobile phone and other valuables allegedly taken during the robbery.

The police said they would bring all those found culpable to justice.

The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against the 16-year-old suspect have not been determined by a court.

The police’s account also makes clear that the recovered object was not identified as an actual firearm. Instead, it was described as a lighter made to look like a pistol.

According to the command, the alleged use of the object was intended to threaten the victim during the robbery.

The arrest took place in Amansea during a police patrol conducted by officers attached to B Division.

Amansea is located in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

With two alleged accomplices still at large, police efforts are focused on identifying their whereabouts, securing their arrest and recovering the property allegedly stolen during the incident.

The command said its investigation would continue until the circumstances surrounding the alleged robbery are established.

The suspect remains an alleged offender and should be presumed innocent unless proven guilty through due legal process.