By Athan Agbakwuru
The Imo State Police Command has arrested and paraded suspects in connection recent kidnap, murder and other crimes in parts of the state, in furtherance of its avowed determination to rid the state of criminal activities.
Among those paraded were; Ndubisi Nzuruike (a.k.a J-Boy) ‘m’ aged 22yrs; Chidi Orie ‘m’ aged 21yrs and Chinedu Ejika ‘m’ 28yrs,all of Ilile Ohaji/Egbema LGA of the state who were nabbed in respect of the kidnap a 70yr old man, Charles Ibe ‘m’ and murder of one late Vitalis Uzoma.
Briefing newsmen while parading the suspects at command headquarters, Owerri at the weekend, the new Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Ladodo disclosed that the suspects on 31th March, 2019 at about 2200hrs, kidnapped Mr Ibe of Akata Village in Okuku, in Owerri West L.G.A of the state.
According to him, the octogenerian was kidnapped by a gang of gunmen operating in a blue car with unknown registration number.
He stated that the gunmen fired sporadically during the operation, and inflicted gunshot injuries on many passers-by while one Vitalis Uzoma aged 46yrs ‘m’ of same address was killed by the hoodlums in the process.
Ladodo hinted that three(3) suspects were arrested with the victim rescued while corpse of deceased victim deposited at Imo State Specialist(General) Hospital Umuguma for autopsy and several others who sustained gunshot injuries are still receiving medical treatment.
He added, “One of the suspect Chinedu Ejika confessed to have been involved in several kidnapping within Nkaraha junction Ohaji Egbema L.G.A between 2012 to 2017 together with notorious kidnapper late Uju Ekene Amadi alias Presido who died during a gun duel with the military in 2016 at Nkaraha junction, Anayo Onuegbu ‘m’ who died during a bank robbery at Katsina State.”
He also mentioned other members of the gang to include: Chidiebere Umah ‘m’, Nnadi Umah ‘m’ and Tochi Igwe ‘m’ all of Mgbishi in Ohaji/Egbema L.G.A who are now in Owerri Prison custody for cases of Kidnapping/Armed Robbery. Investigation is on-going.
Also paraded for armed robbery and murder were Damian Ugonna ‘m’ 26yrs and Ikechukwu Chukwuemeka ‘m’ 27yrs both arrested for the killing of one Okwudiri Kingsley ‘m’ 26yrs, a student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, on 17th April, 2019 close to Villa Castle Hostel at Umuerim Okwu Extension, Nekede, Owerri West Council Area of the state.
He explained that operatives of Anti-Cultism Squad arrested the above named suspects in connection to the gruesome murder of the victim pointing out that suspects have made useful statements to the police and are cooperating in the investigation of the matter.
Continuing, CP Ladodo said that on 8/02/2019, at an undisclosed clinic along Nekede Road in Owerri West L.G.A, one Chinonye Oparaocha ‘f’ was delivered of a baby boy and later conspired with one Confidence Anyanwu, a nurse and native of Umuhu Okwuato in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area but resident at No. 41 Mbaise Road Owerri in company of her husband, Amaeze Anyanwu now at large tk sell the baby.
He hinted that Mr Anyanwu who carried the six (6) hours born baby to Port – Harcourt in Rivers State where one Duru Christian was waiting for them and met one Duru Christian in company of one Mrs. George Iyowuna and they met them at the hideout, took over the baby boy and handed over to a prospective buyer one Mrs. William Cynthia and her husband who eventually paid the sum of N850, 000.00 (eight hundred and fifty thousand Naira).
“On 13/04/2019, operatives of the Scorpion Squad arrested the above named suspects and recovered the newly born baby boy Abiya William while efforts are on-going to arrest the fleeing members of the syndicate. Suspects have made useful statements to the police concerning the crime and are helping the police in the investigation,” he said.
The Imo Police chief who used the occasion toreiterate the command’s resolve to eliminate crime in the state gave a summary of details as four(4) suspects arrested for kidnapping, 16 for armed robbery, five(5) nabbed for child trafficking, five(5) arrested for Cultism and 30 for Cultism while two victims were rescued.
The command added that One vehicl was recovered, One (1) K2 riffle, Four (4) locally made pistols, One (1) locally made single barrel gun and catchment of ammunition.
