The police in Imo State have hooked a man called ‘Fish’, after he allegedly collected N7.5 million as ransom on a kidnapped victim.
Also in police net are 30 other suspects, including university students, held for armed robberies, murder, kidnapping, car theft and cultism.
According to the police, some of the suspected kidnappers killed their victim, after collecting ransom from the families.
Parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Owerri, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Chris Ezike, told how his men arrested Ndubuisi Ugo aka ‘Fish’ at Umuomi Agwa in Oguta through the use of Intelligence-led policing.
He said, “Ugo was arrested for complicity in the armed robbery and kidnapping of one Mrs. Gloria Favour. The suspect has confessed to the crime. He revealed that his gang collected N7.5million as ransom from which he got N1million as his own share. We recovered N200, 000 cash from him.
“Similarly, 39-year-old Benneth Ema was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a Cement Dealer in March, 2017. He confessed to the crime and revealed that his gang collected N900, 000 as ransom from which he got a share of N75, 000.”
Ezike also told reporters about the arrest of four more suspects who were allegedly involved in the June 16 abduction of a 38-year-old Rev. Fr. Charles Nwachukwu.
Three suspects were earlier arrested, namely: Ogadinma Ajonuwa, Chinedu Odoemenam, and Uzoma Mejuru. A follow-up investigation led to the arrests of 34-year-old Akachukwu Agu, Chima Agujuo, 20; Tochukwu Chima, 27, and Desmond Akano, 25.
Ezike said, “These suspects have been a thorn in the flesh of citizens of Imo through their kidnapping escapades and collection of ransom. In their confessional statements, they revealed some kidnapping and armed robbery operations.”
They allegedly kidnapped Mrs. Obiageri Ekukema of Avu Owerri West on June 7, 2017; Femi Ajibola of Avu; Uzoka Ikenna Polycarp, Ahanonu Chikadibia and Chibuike Nwauzor at Orji.
Two guns identified as one Pump Action rifle No. 20239 and one locally made pistol were allegedly recovered from them.
A suspect identified as 24-year-old Nwabugo Iwe of Igbodo Okoroche Etche LGA of Rivers State was arrested in the state, when the police found the Toyota Camry car of a kidnapped victim in his possession.
The 38-year-old victim, one Paul Kpaduwa of Anara in Isiala Mbano, has not been found even after his family had paid the ransom demanded.
He mentioned the arrest of other suspected kidnappers and armed robbers.
He said, “One Ikenna Nwosu, aged 24 years, of Okohia in Isiala Mbano, was arrested with a vandalized black Toyota Camry car marked AAA 868 DM belonging to one Ekwemalor Chidiadi of Abriba Street, Owerri. The victim was robbed at gunpoint on May 17, 2017 at Aladimma area of Owerri.
“Items recovered from Nwosu’s car included one double-barrel locally made pistol, one iron cutter, long machetes, and one mask.
“Following the kidnapping of Chika Duru and Nneka Duru on June 24, 2017 and the robbery of their Toyota Corolla marked ADU 571 DW, the vehicle was intercepted at Anara in Isiala Mbano with three occupants by the use of Forensic technology on June 25. One of the suspects fled, one Emmanuel Obioha was shot dead, while 27-year-old Chikodi Okorie of Achi Ogwa was arrested. The snatched vehicle was recovered while the victims were rescued unhurt.
“On March 1, 2017, a 45-year-old Mrs Amaka Okere of Mbieri Mbaitoli LGA was kidnapped and murdered. Investigation is in progress. Emeka Adibie and Monica Adibie were arrested on June 15, 2017 in Rivers State and the victim’s telephone handset recovered from them.
“On June 25, at about 1100hours following a distress call from Charismatic Catholic Church, Water Board area of Owerri that some suspicious persons were lurking around the premises, police operatives moved to the scene immediately and arrested a 32-year-old Odinaka Nna from Abia State. A search, in his Golf car marked GG 13 LND, led to the recovery of one AK47 rifle with breach number obliterated and four magazines loaded with 105 rounds of live ammunition.
“His arrest and interrogation led to the arrest of 35-year-old Nwachineme Emmanuel from a Hotel in Amakohia Owerri whom he named as a gang member. The suspects had engaged in kidnapping and armed robberies in Owerri and environs.
“On June 21, at about 0419hours along Owerri/Onitsha Road, police operatives on pin down duties arrested 30-year-old Maxwell Oluka; Chima Ndeobi, 23; Nwokoro Prisca, 24, and Kingsley Ebubedike, 24.
“The suspects barricaded the road leading to ‘Father Father Bakery’, intercepted the Company’s bus loaded with bread, robbed the occupants of their telephone handsets, hijacked the vehicle and fled. One cassava stem which was used as improvised firearm was recovered with the bus load of bread.
“On June 17, at about 1900hours, a four man armed gang robbed one Engr. Ifeanyi Nwosu of his Lexus Jeep marked CN 675 WER at Control Post Owerri. The same gang also robbed another victim of his Honda Spider vehicle marked KTU 46 DX at Ikenegbu Layout Owerri. Through diligent investigation, two suspects namely Francis Enato, 28, and Victor Ajonu, 25, were arrested in Calabar, Cross River State and the vehicles were recovered. Suspects have made confessional statements.
“One Chikason Ekpo, 20, was arrested at Ohaji on May 21, 2017 for armed robberies and kidnapping along Port Harcourt/Owerri road. He was arrested during a gun duel with the Police from where he sustained injuries. One locally made double barrel pistol with two live cartridges was recovered.
“On June 9, at about 2100hours, 25-year-old Bright Nwankwo and Ezeama Kenneth, 24, both claimed to be students of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, while operating on a motorcycle robbed one Mirian Diala Kelechi, also a student, of her blackberry telephone handset at gunpoint. One locally made gun and the snatched telephone were recovered and suspects arrested. Suspects confessed to the crime and were positively identified by victim.
“On August 10, 2016 at Umuekpu Agwa one Rev. Ebenezer Onwuegbulam and Akubudike Ukonu were robbed and Akubudike Ukonu murdered. On June 25, 2017 at Irete Owerri, one Chigozie Theophilus, 24, was arrested. He has confessed to the crime and revealed that he fled to Onitsha after commission of the crime to evade arrest.
“On June 2, at about 1900hours, at Ekemegba Oha, Uratta in Owerri North LGA, a 4-man robbery gang dispossessed a victim of his Lexus Jeep marked KSF 30 EU, and took it to Ngor Okpala. Detectives trailed and arrested them. “
Ezike identified the suspects as 34-year-old Onwalezi Rowland and Chikodi Ngwuta, 23.
“The vehicle was recovered and suspects have confessed to the crime,” he said.
Three suspects who claimed to be students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, were also arrested following a report that they robbed someone at Eziobodo Hostel in Owerri, stole his Laptop Computer, charger and extension wire, inflicted injuries on his two hands with axe and escaped.
Ezike said, “The newly constituted Anti-Cultism Unit stepped in immediately and arrested Igboerika Ifeanyi Paul, 23; Obodo John Ifeanyi, 23, and Agumadu Tochukwu, 19. They are all students of the Federal University of Technology Owerri. The following items were recovered: The stolen laptop, charger and extension wire; one black Axe; 20 SIM Cards from different networks; two hammers; and four Black Axe (Aye Confraternity) caps.”
The police also arrested three suspects on May 6 at Amucha Njaba LGA in connection with the abduction and trafficking of one Obumneke Onyemedum, 23, and her baby.
They were identified as Chinedu Onyeakosi, 30; Chinaza Onyeakosi, 22, and Chidi Donathus, 29.
“One Anayo Iwuchukwu aged 35 years, was arrested with 1000 pieces of N1, 000 notes suspected to be fake. He was ready to sell same at the cost of N50, 000. Suspect hails from Iho in Ikeduru LGA and efforts are in top gear to arrest his accomplices,” Ezike said, as he thanked Imo people for their support and gave his men a pat on the back.
He attributed the accomplishments to the support received by the state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the use of Intelligence-led policing platforms and high visibility policing models to achieve efficiency and effectiveness and the Whistle Blowing policy introduced by the police.
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