Soldier, corps member, 38 others arrested for Imo kidnappings, robberies

It also announced the reintroduction of
the ‘Operation Mkpochapu’, meant to flush out criminals from the state
and ensure a crime-free Christmas period.
The state Commissioner of Police, Taiwo
Lakanu, stated that on October 10, operatives of the command arrested a
four-man gang, who allegedly kidnapped and robbed 52-year old Cordelia
Chikere of Umuokanne community in Ohaji/Egbema Council Area of the
state.
“The victim was kidnapped along the
Oburugo-Obiti Road, Ohaji at gun point. The sum of N9,000 was stolen
from her,” Lakanu added.
The commissioner said that a cordon and
search operation by the operatives of the command led to the rescue of
the victim inside a hut in the forest without any ransom paid.
He listed two of those involved in the
kidnap as Onyinechi Ezengwu (26), who is also known as “Mosquito”, from
Obiti, and Chinemerem Ohale (21) of Amuri Awomama in Oru East Local
Government Areas of the state.
The CP also said that on October 26,
another four-man gang that allegedly masterminded the kidnap of a
Catholic ex-seminarian, Peter Chukwuemeka, was nabbed.
He said that the victim was kidnapped in
front of St. Peter’s Seminary, Okigwe, and rescued by the operatives of
the command two days later.
Those arrested are Emmanuel Nnadi (25)
of Umulolo Okigwe, Chukwuemeka Desmond (22) of Avutu Obowo, Promise
Alamanjo (24) of Umulolo Okigwe and Odii Ekwe (26) of Uburu Ohazara in
Ebonyi State.
Lakanu said the suspects had made useful
statements about their roles in the crime and would soon be charged to
court after police investigations.
The CP also said that the command had
introduced protective units for banks, filing stations and hotels where
police operatives would be dispatched to ensure that crime was checked
in the area.
“We chose the three areas first because
these are where crimes are perpetuated in the state. I am assuring all
Imo indigenes that this forthcoming Christmas celebration will be
crime-free. They will sleep with their two eyes well closed. Various
strategies that will guarantee the above-stated are already in place,”
he added.
One of the suspects, “Mosquito,” said
that he did not indulge in raping, but that he was involved in most
crimes committed in the Ohaji/Egbema area.
“I don’t rape women; it is against my principle, but I was involved in major crimes in my area,” he said.
A member of the National Youth Service
Corps serving in Oyo State, who gave his name as Ogbonna Godwin, said he
came to collect his transcript from Federal University of Technology,
Owerri before he was nabbed for armed robbery.
“I was with my friends and they said I
should go somewhere with them. When we got there, it was robbery they
took me to participate in. They all ran away but I was caught by the
police,” he said.
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