POLICE PARADE 13 SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS/ARMED ROBBERS IN ANAMBRA
REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
Police in Anambra State have apprehended 13 members of notorious kidnapping and armed robbery gangs terrorizing parts of the state.
The Police also said they recovered 20 bombs from the suspects.
Parading the suspects in Awka, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nnaghe Itam, said the breakthrough made in the last 14 days were as a result of the experiences shared by some kidnapped victims, which provided security agents with an insight into the operations of the various gangs that were smashed.
The Commissioner of Police, assured the people that security operatives would not relent in their effort to rid the state of criminal elements.
He encouraged members of the public, especially those who had fallen victims to Kidnapping and armed robbery, to approach nearest security posts to assist with relevant information for the arrest of the criminals rather than going to social media to hit up the polity.
Mr. Itam explained that Emeka Okolo (29yrs) from Ihiala, Anambra State; Uchenna John (21yrs) from Ebonyi State and Victor Iniukpong (31yrs) from Akwa Ibom State were arrested in connection with the kidnap of one Abuchi Madueke at Nimo, where they shot dead one Clement Obodozie and snatched a lexus 330 SUV.
He noted that the gang members were arrested while they were trying to demobilize a car tracker on another victim they allegedly kidnapped in Onitsha.
Mr. Itam said operatives from the command arrested 43-year-old Nnatu Chicdozie from Enugu Ukwu; Onyeka Okoye (22yrs) from Uruagu Mbaukwu and Ndubuisi Emmanuel Abate (19yrs) from Ayamelum Local Government Area, all in Anambra State, who are suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate connected with the kidnap of Mr. Sunday Etimbuk and Goodness at Odume Obosi.
The police boss said the Command within the last 14 days also arrested some armed robbers who paraded themselves as cultists in Awka, the state capital.
He said the four 18-year-old suspects, who are indigenes of Awka are Emeka Okotor, Chidubem Ejiofor, Chigwo Nwankwo and Chijoka Onyibor.
Mr. Itam said a pump action gun and other arms were recovered from the suspects as their operational weapon.
The Police boss further told journalists that one Chignogu Favor from Ihiala and Mbanefo Udeze from Oraifite belonging to a notorious kidnapping gang that operates in Anambra State from a hideout in Asaba were apprehended after police operatives stormed their area.
The security operatives also arrested one suspectes kidnapper, Chigemezu Okafor a.k.a. ENGLAND from Mbano and Uchenna Nwiwu from Ngor Okpala, both in Imo State, who are masterminds of kidnapping incidents in Anambra State.
The Suspects were arrested at various locations in the state and their operational weapons, including 4 pump action guns and one double barrel gun were recovered.
According to Mr. Itam, Police understand the enormity of the trust bestowed upon them to protect life and property and despite obvious systematic challenges, the officers and men of the command are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of all well-meaning citizens of the state.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
