Police arrest POS operator, trader, others over Kidnapping

Austin Okoro DDM NEWS

The Anti – Kidnapping unit of Imo state Police Command has arrested three Kidnapping syndicates who reportedly abducted one Mr Sabinus Ibe in Owerri.

The operatives were said to have recovered arms and ammunitions, Vehicles and two (2) million naira ransom collected from their victim.

The victim was kidnapped on 22nd February 2025 at 8.00PM in Egbu Owerri Imo state and taken to an unknown destination.

More arrest have been made as Police intensified manhunt against the kidnappers..

Henry Okoye, the Command’s spokesman stated in his Press release of March 23rd 2025

Okoye states: “Operatives of the Imo State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit have apprehended three individuals in connection with the Conspiracy and kidnapping of Mr. Sabinus Ibe, a 48-year-old resident of Owerri.

“The suspects, identified as Favour Dike, ‘f’ 22 years old; Ifeanyi Kingsley, 30 years old; and Wisdom Chikodi, 31 years old, were arrested on March 18, 2025, following thorough investigations and strategic operations led by the Commander Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Owerri.

“The victim, Mr. Sabinus Ibe, was abducted on February 22, 2025, at around 8:00 PM in Egbu, Owerri.

“He was forcibly taken to an undisclosed location by the kidnappers.

” The kidnappers then demanded a ransom for his release, which was paid through a POS transaction.

“The payment was traced to a Moniepoint account (8213707568) operated by one of the suspects, Favour Dike, at the Timber and Allied Market in Owerri North Local Government Area.

“Upon arrest, Favour Dike, admitted to receiving a two million naira ransom payment on the instructions of Ifeanyi Kingsley, a trader in Timber and Allied Market Naze in Owerri.

“Kingsley later confessed to providing Dike’s POS account details at the request of his friend, Wisdom Chikodi, a member of the kidnapping syndicate.

” Chikodi, from Umuezuo Ekwereazu in Ahiazu LGA, is believed to have played a significant role in orchestrating the kidnapping.

“Further investigation led to the arrest of Wisdom Chikodi in his hotel room at New Owerri.

“Chikodi then took operatives to the Old Township Stadium, Tetlow Road, where gang members fled upon seeing the police, abandoning an ash-colored Toyota Camry 2.4 model.

“A search of the vehicle uncovered two pump-action rifles, one locally made gun, and 18 live cartridges.

“Several additional arrests were made as operatives pursued the fleeing suspects.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Police Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to fighting crime.

“He assured that the suspects will be arraigned in court after the investigation, and efforts are underway to apprehend other members of the syndicate.

“The public is urged to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police Station or via 0803 477 3600”, Okoye stated.

This underscores police readiness to combat crime and criminality in the state.

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