How Police Arrested Suspected Kidnappers In Imo

CHUKA UBAH

The Imo State Police Command has paraded sets of suspected criminals said to be terrorizing the entire South East region in the recent times. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Hussaini Rabiu, stated this while addressing newsmen in Owerri. He said that the suspects were arrested following the kidnapped of one Okechukwu Mbata, aged 42 years and Kelechi Anoruo, aged 41 years.

Operatives from the Imo State Command swung into action and on 10th August, 2021, through credible technical intelligence mobilized and rescued the victims unhurt.

The Command also said that one of the kidnappers, Nwanosike Chukwuka, ‘m’ aged 38 years of Ubahanwa Otulu in Oru West LGA of Imo State, was arrested.

The suspect on interrogation, confessed to the crime, mentioned other members of the syndicate and led the Police Operatives to their hideout in Ebonyi State.

According to the Police boss, ”On  9th September, 2021, at about 1720hrs, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed their hideout at Idembia Izza South LGA of Ebonyi State. The hoodlums on sighting the operatives engaged them in a gun duel but were overwhelmed by the operatives”. 

The arrested suspects were listed as: Festus Ekeoha ‘male’ aged 38 years of Ubommiri in Mbaitoli LGA, Imo State, Emeka Onuh ‘male’ aged 38years of Inyi, Oji River, Enugu State,  Young Ndukwu ‘male’ aged 45years of Awo Mbieri in Mbaitoli LGA, Imo State, Favour Chukwu ‘male’ aged 39years and Alo Chidi ‘male’ both of Ndembia Izza South LGA, Ebonyi State.

Other suspects included: Obinna Okoroeze ‘male’ aged 55years of Abueke Ihitte Uboma LGA, Imo State, Uchechukwu Aniebo ‘male’ aged 43years of Udi, Enugu State,  Ekpeta Joseph ‘male’ aged 32years of Aninri LGA, Enugu State.

The suspects, when interrogated, confessed to the crime and revealed their respective involvement in the commission of the crime and admitted being part of the syndicate that had been terrorizing the South East region and beyond. 

The Police boss hinted that after combing their hideout, the following exhibits were recovered, which included:  1 Assault Rifle loaded with Twenty-Two (22) rounds of live ammunition, 2 Pump Action Guns loaded with Thirty-Three (33) rounds of live cartridges, 1 cut-to size Double Barrel Gun, 1 English Berretta Pistol with Eight (8) rounds of live ammunition and  2 master keys.

Also recovered from the suspects were: 2 Black coloured Lexus RX330, 1 ash coloured Toyota Camry Pencil Light Car, 1 red coloured Toyota Camry Car, 1 black coloured Toyota Highlander SUV 2011 model, 1 carton coloured Toyota Sienna car, 1 Mercedes-Benz 190 Car, 1 black coloured Toyota Camry 2004 Big Daddy model. 

CP Rabiu Hussaini thereby called on Imolites, whose vehicles were robbed or stolen, to come to the State Command with proof of ownership for identification and collection. He also encouraged residents and citizens of the state to always report criminal cases on time as this will assist the Police to apprehend the perpetrators in good time. 

When interviewed, one of the suspect, Emeka Onuh, from Orji River in Enugu State, disclosed that his only link with the kidnapping issue was that he gave out his vehicle, Ford Edge, to some of his friends without knowing that they will use it for kidnapping.