END OF ROAD FOR SUSPECTED KIDNAP KINGPIN AND 10 OTHERS

Police in Ebonyi State have arrested eleven suspects including an alleged kidnap master-strategist operating within Ebonyi and Abia States.

Parading the suspects at Police Headquarters Abakaliki, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Mr. Jude Madu alleged that the suspected kidnapper was involved in the abduction and killing of a sixty year old woman in Ivo Local Government Area eight months ago.

The suspect,OgonnaAlioka,alias “Pilot” was said to be among a gang of kidnappers who allegedly abducted one Catherin Okorie at Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area of the State early this year.

Unfortunately, the woman was shot dead and buried in a shallow grave in Lokpanta, Abia State for recognizing one of the kidnappers.

Mr. Madu said though some members of the gang had been arrested and arraigned in court, Alioka who allegedly drove the vehicle used in the operation had been on the run until few days ago when he was arrested in Abia State.

Madu explained that Police also arrested one Gideon Omaka who was just released from prison custody in March this year for allegedly killing one EzeIdamOgbonnaya during a robbery incident in Amasiri.

Other suspects, which included one ChukwudiNwezaku, Okpara, EzeChima, ChiadikaobiAni, UchechukwuAniewo and OzomenaObasi were arrested in connection with alleged armed robbery attacks, electricity cable vandalism, buying of stolen cars and unlawful possession of firearms.

Some of the suspects including Alioka confessed to the crimes.

Aliokaclaimed that the woman was killed while fleeing from them in the bush, pointing out that he engaged the kingpin in a fight when the incident occurred.

He said after killing the woman, he ran away to avoid being arrested claiming that the abduction of the woman was masterminded by a politician in Ishiagu.

Items allegedly recovered from them included five vehicles, one tricycle, electronics, guns and live cartridges while the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Jude Madu, said they would be arraigned in court soon.