Imo police command arrest dreaded serial kidnapper on its wanted list

The Imo State police command have arrested a wanted notorious kidnapper during a raid in their hideout in Ohuba village in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area.

A kidnap victim identified as Uzondu Ikeazuta, a native of Isiala Mbano was also released during the sting operation.

The police spox in the State, Michael Abattam confirmed this in a statement which was made available to newsmen.

He said, “In line with the Command’s commitment to step down the tide of terrorism and kidnapping in the State, the Commissioner of Police, Imo Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, directed the Command’s Tactical teams to embark on vigorous raids of all criminals hideouts in the forests, collaborating with the vigilante groups of the various communities.

“The Command’s Operatives on 29/8/2022 at about 1230hours, after diligent gathering of information of identified terror camps in the State, raided a terror camp in the forest at Ohuba village in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

“The hoodlums on sighting the police operatives immediately engaged them in a gun duel, but were overwhelmed by the superior fire power of the police, resulting in the arrest of one Amarachi Amadi aka Ishiegburumma ‘m’ aged 28 years, the leader of a notorious kidnapping gang, in the wanted list of the Command. He sustained bullet wounds during the gun battle while others escaped with bullet injuries into the forest.

“Operatives while combing the forest saw the kidnapped victim, Uzondu Ikeazuta ‘m’ aged 45 years, a native of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, on chain. He was freed unhurt. In the same vein, recovered the following exhibits:
i. One (1) Cut to Size Single Barrel Gun with six (6) rounds of live cartridges;
ii. One (1) locally made Double Barrel Short Gun.
iii. One (1) Bus Imo with registration number WER 04 XB.
iv. One (1) dagger;
v. One (1) ATM Card.
vi. Substances suspected to be Indian Hemp;
vii. Airtel Recharge Cards;
viii. Assorted charms
ix. Ropes used in tying their victims.
x. Three (3) cell phones

“In the course of debriefing the victim, it was revealed that he was kidnapped by a five man armed gang, on the 28/8/2022 at about 1300 hours, at Imo Specialist Hospital junction Umuguma in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. While in their custody, he was subjected to inhuman tortures that, almost resulted in the cutting off his manhood for ritual purposes. That the kidnappers were demanding for a ransom of One Million Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,700,000.00) before he can be released from their captivity.

“The suspect while undergoing interrogation, admitted being the Capone of the kidnapping syndicate and confessed to several kidnapping cases, but could remember vividly seven and how they beheaded one of their victim’s, Justice Ikechukwu Francis Okoroji on the 5th of January, 2020. His confession has led to the arrest of one Oriaku Lucky ‘m’ aged 26years of Umugologo Ohuba in Ohaji/Egbema LGA and Peace Victor Sunday ‘f’ aged 19years of Unah Eket in Akwa Ibom State.

“Investigation is in progress and the gallant operatives are not relenting in their efforts to arrest other members of the syndicate. Meanwhile, the Command is using this medium to call on Imolites to collaborate with the police and other security agencies by giving them credible information and to report any suspicious activities or persons seen within their neighbourhood treating bullet wounds to the nearest police station or call the Command’s emergency numbers 08034773600 or 08098880197.”

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