By Onyinyechi Amakaulo
In their bid to easily take their victims hostage, suspected kidnappers have devised another means to have be successful.
This was made known by the kidnappers while being paraded by the police in Owerri.
According to police, some of the suspects held in connection to a kidnap case have confessed of using uniform of NYSC members to operate.
According to police suspects arrested in connection to the kidnap of a woman and passengers in Sienna vehicle confessed the use NYSC uniforms to flag down drivers and later attack them.
Police in the briefing said “ an arrest of armed robbery kidnap, murder was made against Obinna Opara Basil male 32 years, Kalanwa Goodluck male 32 years, and Chimamkpa Eziria male 17 years between 21st and 24th of January 2019 at Omerelu Ikwerre LGA in Rivers State and Mgbeshi in Ohaji/Egbema LGA respectively for robbery Mrs Maria Chijoke and all occupants of Toyota Sienna with one locally made pistol and one English pistol and kidnapping unsuspecting road users along Port Harcourt, Owerri Road.
Information has it that the suspects also confessed that they use NYSC uniforms to flag down drivers to attack them”.
Imo Police Command Arrest 10 Suspected Kidnappers, 21 Robbers
In a press briefing held last Wednesday at the command headquarters, Owerri the commissioner of Police Imo state Command, CP Dasuki Galadanchi while parading suspects revealed that
- ARREST OF KIDNAP SUSPECTS
SUSPECTS:-
i. Chinweke Nnachi ‘m’ 23 years old
- Chibuike Okolia ‘m’ 24 years old
VICTIMS: –
i. Ekwueme Uchenna ‘m’ 27 years old
- Christian Duru ‘m’ 60 years old
EXHIBITS: –
i. One AK 47 rifle and 30 rounds of Ammunition
- Motor cycle
On 19/09/2018, the above named kidnap suspects abducted and kidnapped one Christian Duru ’m’ from Awo-Mamma in Oru East. As fate would have it the kidnap suspects arrived Orlu with the victim and in effort to kidnap a second victim one Ekwueme Uchenna, their car fell into a gutter and from the ensuing scenarios the first suspect Christian escaped. On 20/09/2018, operatives of SARS of the command in collaboration with PMF 18 personnel swung into action and rescued the second suspect a day after he was kidnapped. Suspects have made useful statements and confessed to the crime.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY/MURDER SUSPECT
SUSPECT:
Chijioke Ukaeje aka Pufflin ‘m’ 26 years of Umuduru Isiala Mbano LGA but resident at No. 7 Nekede Road Owerri
VICTIM:
King Joe ‘m’ (a hairstylist)
On 13/12/2018, operatives of Special Anti – Robbery Squad SARS of the command arrested the above named suspect at old stadium road by Tetlow Owerri. The suspect who has made useful statements to the police and confessed to the crime stated that the victim was killed because of secret cult rivalry as according to him the victim belong to Baggas while he is of the Ayes confraternity.
- ARREST OF KIDNAPP SUSPECTS/RECOVERY OF VICTIM’S SUV CAR.
SUSPECTS:
i. Ibe Christopher ‘m’35 years old - Chukwudi Chukwuka ‘m’ 27 years old
VICTIMS:
i. Joy Ufumba ‘f’ 45 years old
- Stephen Ufomaduh ‘m’ 35 years old
iii. Emmanuel Ufomaduh ‘m’ 56 years old
EXHIBIT:
One black SUV jeep Mercedes ML 450 with Reg. No. 804 DLA
Sequel to the arrest of kidnap suspects and rescue of victims of American returnees to Owerri on 21/12/2018, their SUV jeep taken away was recovered. The vehicle was recovered on 24/12/2018 at Umuezuke village Awo-Amma in Oru East LGA of Imo state. The robbed vehicle was secretly parked in a car park with well secured door lock in a story building waiting for ready buyers.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY/KIDNAP/MURDER SUSPECTS
SUSPECTS:
i. Obinna Opara Basil ‘m’ 32 years old - Kalanwa Goodluck ‘m’ 32 years old.
iii. Chimamkpa Eziria ‘m’ 17 years old.
VICTIM:
Mrs Maria Chijioke and all occupants of Toyota Sienna
EXHIBITS: One locally made pistol and one English pistol
The above named suspects were arrested between 21st and 24th of January, 2019 at Umerelu Ikwerre LGA in Rivers state and Mgbeshi in Ohaji/Egbema LGA respectively. They have made useful statements to the police and confessed to have robbed and kidnapped unsuspecting road users along Port-Harcourt/Owerri road. They also confessed that they use NYSC uniforms to flag down drivers to a stop for assistance after which they kidnap occupants of such vehicles for ransom.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT
SUSPECT:-
Nwokeoma Henry ‘m’ aged 24 years old of Imogwu Omagwa in Ikwere LGA of Rivers State
EXHIBITS:-
i. One locally made Pistol
- One live cartridge
iii. One expended cartridge
On 08/01/2019, the above named suspect in company of three others now at large, took off from River State to Owerri where they attacked unsuspected quests at ‘JUKWESE RESTAURANT & BAR’ at no. 5 Emma Ugorji Street Owerri. Suspect was arrested and a locally made pistol, one expended and live cartridge recovered from him. Suspect confessed to the crime and investigation ongoing.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS
SUSPECTS:-
i. Amos Friday ‘m’ aged 20 years old
- Chukwuebuka Ibeawuchi ‘m’ aged 23 years old
iii. Augustine Thomas ‘m’ aged 39 years old
- Iheanacho Eluma ‘m’ aged 20 years old
- Kaburu Mohanned ‘m’ aged 39 years old
VICTIMS:-
i. Isioma Donald Chidi ‘m’
- Ikechukwu Ikenga ‘m’
iii. Ghandu Kaburu Baba
EXHIBITS:-
i. One Double Barrel Gun
- One Qlink Motorcycle model 150
iii. Three Handsets (phone)
- Three Plasma Television
The armed robbers who robbed immigration personnel
On 17/01/2019, the above named suspects went into the Nigeria Immigration Service transit camp in their Command’s permanent site at Avu Junction and robbed them of three Plasma Television, cash of forty two thousand naira (#42,000), seventeen thousand naira (#17,000), four handsets, two wrist watches and other cloths. On 26/01/2019 the same gang robbed one Mr. Ikechukwu Ikenga ‘m’ of Umunebo Obinze of his properties – One Q-link Motorcycle, Drinks and cloths, Cash of sixty four thousand naira (#64,000) and Three Handsets. Again on 31/01/2019, the same gang also robbed One Mr. Augustine Ekeigwe ‘m’ of Oboku Obinze in Owerri West of his belongings – One Motorcycle and Three Handsets in his house on gun point.
7: ARREST OF KIDNAP/ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS
SUSPECT:- Nwachukwu Uchenna ‘m’ aged 29 years old
VICTIM:- Bidwell Onyeakosi ‘m’
EXHIBIT:- Xttera Nissan with Reg. No. NG 945 KJA
On 26/12/2018, Operatives of SARS of the Command led by the Commander arrested one Nwachukwu Uchenna who is involved in a case of Kidnap/armed robbery. The suspect confessed to the crime and mentioned his accomplice one Daniel Alozie aka ‘Murano’ now at large. Suspect also confessed that they collected the sum of five hundred thousand naira (#500,000) from the said victim after they have collected the sum of three million naira (#3, 000000.00) ransom from the victim’s family.
- ARREST OF KIDNAP SUSPECTS
SUSPECTS:-
i. Amuzie Wisdom ‘m’ aged 28 years old
- Amaechi Akun ‘m’ aged 31 years old
VICTIMS:-
i. Chief Stanley Anoruo ‘m’
- Godwin Nnodim ‘m’
On 21/11/2018, following information received that a victim was kidnapped at Obitti in Ohaji. In view of the information, police operatives swung into action and rescued the victims in a forest. Subsequently, two of the suspects were arrested at Ohaji and one of the victim’s Chief Stanley Anoruo identified the suspects who shot him and because he could not walk to follow them carried him on a wheel barrow to the forest where they were kept. Investigation is in progress.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY
SUSPECTS:-
i. Chimcheta Dameain ‘m’ aged 21 years old
- Michael Anyanwu ‘m’ aged 28 years old
iii. Chibuike Asuomum ‘m’ aged 24 years old
- Henry Ajuka ‘m’ aged 28 years old
- Chikwado Nwafor ‘m’ aged 29 years old
VICTIMS:-
i. Shedrack Ukeji ‘m’
- Otu Mbe Stephen ‘m’
iii. Okechukwu Dike ‘m’
- Onyedaka Nnamdi ‘m’
- Peter Chinonso ‘m’
- Duru Tochi ‘m’
On 19/1/2019 at about 0630hrs, operatives of SARS led by ASP Banjoko arrested one Obialor ‘m’ aged 23 years old of Amaraku in Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State, an armed robber who is responsible for incessant, terrorizing innocent road users at Oboh Community in Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State. On interrogation, he led the operatives to the arrest of his gang members, the above mentioned suspects have confessed to the crime.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT
SUSPECT:- Ikechi Ojiala ‘m’ aged 44 years old
On 31/1/2019 at about 1000hrs, operatives of SARS led by ASP Banjoko arrested one Ikechi Ojialam ‘m’ aged 44 years old of Umuokwara Okwudor Njaba LGA of Imo State, who is responsible for robbing of one unregistered Toyota Sienna bus ash in colour from one Daniel Chikwado Duru ‘m’ of Okwudor LGA on gun point. On interrogation suspect confessed to the crime and led operatives to Amandogba
in Isu LGA of Imo State where the Sienna bus was recovered, effort is on top gear to apprehend other fleeing suspects, investigation is ongoing.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT
SUSPECT:- Chigemezu Ogbonna aka ‘UPA’ ‘m’ aged 27 years
VICTIM:- Daniel Chikwado Duru ‘m’
EXHIBIT:- Toyota Sienna bus ash in colour
On 11/12/2018 at Orlu UBA round about in connection with the armed robbery attack on one Mrs. Kalu Sabina ‘f’ of Umuokwe Orlu, Chigemezu Ogbonna and his gang members robbed the victim of the cash sum of one million naira (#1,000.000) which she withdrew from First Bank Orlu, suspect confessed to the crime, investigation is ongoing.
12: ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT
SUSPECT:- Davison Nnorom ‘m’ aged 28 years old
On 28/1/2019, Davison Nnorom was apprehended while trailing unidentified customer from first bank Orlu. He was identified as one of the armed robbers who were responsible for robbing the sum of N250,000 from one Ohakwe Gloria Chinwendu ‘f’ of Living World Academy School Nkwere LGA on 18/1/2019 Emelogu Complete ‘m’ of same address also identified him as one of the armed robber who attacked and robbed him of the sum of 3300,000.00 on gun point at Orlu.
- UNLAWFUL POSSESSION/IMPERSONATION
SUSPECT:- Sampson David ‘m’ 29 years old
EXHIBITS:
vi. One English Pump Action
vii. Two pairs of military uniforms
viii. Bianet Daga.
On 5/12/2018 operatives of SARS arrested one Amarachi Favour Ihejirika ‘f’ of Umugama Owu-Amakohia in Ikeduru LGA Imo in connection with the alleged crime. On her part, she confessed that the gun and military uniforms belong to her fiancée who claimed to be a soldier. The said Sampson David who has been terrorizing Owerri and its environs of kidnapping /robbery was arrested and what is more he confessed to the crimes of unlawful possession/impersonation in that he stole the gun from the Nigeria Legion office in Abia.
- ARREST OF KIDNAP SUSPECTS
SUSPECTS: (1) CHIKWENDU UDOYE ’M’46 YEARS
(2) AGAFECHUKWU OJUKWU ‘M’ 34 YEARS
(3) MAXWELL ODENIGBO ‘M’45 YEARS
On 23 /11/2018 at about 16oohrs operatives Arrested the above suspects at Ndiuche Arondizuogu Ideato North LGA of Imo State whom are responsible for
most Armed Robbery/kidnapping within Ideato South/North and Orlu LGA of Imo State. On interrogation, suspects confessed to the crime.
15: ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS
SUSPECT:
(1) EJIKE UWALAKA aka Biggy ‘m’ 30 years old
(2) SAMUEL OGWU ‘M’ 28 years old.
(3) THANKGOD ELEBUWA ‘M’ 28 years old’
VICTIM: MR. CHIKE EBOSI ‘M’
A case of armed robbery was reported on information that suspected armed robbers were trying to register stolen vehicle. SARS operatives swung into action and arrested the above suspects and recovered the stolen car. The victim has identified his car in that he was robbed in 2017 at Bayelsa State.
SUMMARY OF ARRESTS MADE
No. of suspects arrested for Kidnapping: =10
No. of suspects arrested for Armed Robbery: =21
No. of suspects arrested for Unlawful Possession of Firearms: =1
NUMBER OF KIDNAP VICTIMS RESCUED
No. of Kidnap victims rescued: =9
EXHIBITS
No. of vehicles recovered: =3
No. of motorcycles recovered: =2
NUMBER OF ARMS/AMMUNITION RECOVERED
- One (1) AK 47 riffle
- Two (2) English made guns
- Two (2) locally made pistols
- One (1) locally made Double barrel gun
