The Ebonyi State Police Command, on Friday, paraded an ex-soldier, Anthony Onoaha, 34, and 17 others for alleged kidnapping.
Seven other suspects, who were arrested for various crimes in the state, were also paraded at the command’s headquarters in Abakaliki.
The Commissioner of Police, Faleye Olaleye, said nine of the kidnap suspects were members of the gang who allegedly killed an employee of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Emmanuel Igwe, and kidnapped his wife, Charity, on June18, 2023
It was gathered that Emmanuel and his wife were returning from Abia State when they were attacked along the Ishiagu/Mpu Road.
Olaleye said, “Sequel to the kidnap of Igwe Charity Chidimma Nwosu on June 18, 2023, whose husband was shot and killed during the incidence, I directed the tactical teams to embark on an intelligence-led investigation and ensure that the kidnappers were apprehended and brought to justice.
“In compliance with the my directive, on June 24, 2023, at about 1400 hours, the tactical teams of the command acting on credible intelligence embarked on a rescue mission in the hideout of the kidnappers in a forest in the Lokpanta community in the Umunneochi LGA of Abia State, where the victim was rescued unhurt and nine suspects were arrested.
“All nine suspects are from Lokpanta in Abia State.They are: Ogbonna Victor, 24; Christian Uche, 30; Chukwu Nelson, 28; Ifeanyi Egwu, 37; Ude Sylvester, 40; Chinedu Aja, 32; Onyebueke Chidera, 24; Ude Neanbueze, 29; and Nweke Lucky Henry, 28.
“The teams recovered various phones, wireless speakers and gang pictures. The victim is currently hospitalised and the suspects are undergoing interrogation and investigation.”
On the arrest of the ex-military man, the CP explained, “On May 9, 2023, a case of kidnapping/armed robbery was reported through a distress call by one Dike Johnson of No. 37 Nibo Street, Abakaliki.
“On the receipt of the information, police operatives swung into action to hunt down the fleeing suspects. Through rigorous search, one of the kidnap kingpins, Ikechukwu Oduma, aka Market, was arrested; he made useful statement under caution and confessed to have participated in several unlawful operations in the state, including the kidnap of Stanley Dike and Emeka Nwankwo on May 9, 2023, attack on police personnel of the Ekumenyi Division at the Union Bank roundabout on May 11, 2023 and attack on the Oshiri Division, where three policemen were shot dead.
“Operatives from the command through intelligence located their hideout at Izzi LGA on May 11, 2023 where the kidnap victims, Stanley Dike, 40, and Emeka Nwankwo, 29, were rescued unhurt together with their Lexus 330 RX salon car.
“The suspects took the operatives to another hideout at Umuoghara Ezza North LGA; on sighting the operatives, the gang opened fire but were overpowered by the superior firepower of the police. A gang member was neutralised and the suspect, Ikechukwu Oduma, who led the operatives to the hideout, sustained bullet injuries and was rushed to the hospital for treatment but was pronounced dead by a medical doctor on duty.
“Subsequently, on June 11, 2023, via intelligence report, operatives of the Ebonyi State Police Command arrested one Nnachi Cyprian, 35, who made confessional statements under caution to the police, which led to the arrest of an ex-military officer, one Anthony Onoaha,34, as well as one Ndubuisi Okeagu, 35, who specialises in receiving ransom for the gang.”
The CP added that on June 21, tactical operatives of the command stormed a criminal hideout located on Okposi Street in Abakaliki metropolis where a gang of suspected armed robbers/kidnappers were arrested.
He gave the names of the suspects as Nwanya Emmanuel, 27; Kingsley Amezi, 26; Okoro Ogbonna, 32; Abraham Ogbonna, 34; Uchenna Ekuma, 34; and Samuel Ajah, 23.
The command also paraded Ikechukwu Akuma, 41, and Onyekachi Victor for allegedly stealing 206 full length 25mm rods at the Ebonyi International Airport site on June 9, 2023, following a distress call received from the Special Adviser to the Governor on Airport Security, Enyi Franklin Enyi.
