... arrest 15 suspected kidnappers, others with several arms
By our reporter
Operatives of Imo State Police Command have discovered and exhumed corpses of three persons, one Pastor Chima Ogbonna, Ugochi Nwabueze and Jeremiah Ochunwa, all from Orsu Obodo community in Oguta council area of the state.
The deceased are kidnapped victims, murdered and buried in shallow graves in a thick forest in the Orsu Obodo community, said to be camp of the proscribed IPOB/ESN members.
The operation followed the confession made by one alleged notorious ESN commander, Chinonso Ugochukwu, aka Bob, 31 who was arrested by the operatives of Anti Kidnapping Unit of the Command led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa in connection to crimes ranging from kidnapping, murder, armed robbery.
Parading the suspect along side 14 others at the command's headquarters in Owerri, on Monday, the state Police Commissioner, Audu Garba Bosso, said the achievement reflected the commitment of the command and other security agencies in the state in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes across the State.
According to CP Bosso, "the command in recent period arrested 15 criminal suspects for offences such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, terrorism linked to IPOB/ESN, child trafficking, murder, and stealing. Through coordinated operations, 1 kidnapped victim and 1 stolen child were rescued and reunited with their families."
He said, "The command also recovered 10 firearms, including 4 AK-47 rifles, 1 LAR rifle and 5 pump-action guns, 260 GPMG live ammunition, 240 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 280 live cartridges, 10 improvised explosives, 11 machetes, 5 stolen motorcycles, 32 vehicle registration number plates, 32 cellphones, 5 laptops, large quantity of weed substance suspected to be indian hemp, 2 walkie-talkie, IPOB/ESN insignia, counterfeit currency and Criminal charms.
"A major breakthrough was the arrest of 5 notorious kidnap suspects — Chinonso Ugochukwu, Chibuzor Okafor, Ohaka Chukwuka, Ezekwe Chizoba, Ezekwe Chinyere, all of Orsuobodo in Oguta LGA of Imo State — for their involvement in series of IPOB/ESN related terrorism, kidnapping, murder and other violent crimes within Oguta locality and its environs and recovered 1 LAR rifle, 3 AK-47 rifles without breach number, 3 pump-action guns, 30 rounds of live cartridges, some locally made explosives, criminal charms and IPOB/ESN insignia and currency."
Imo police boss continued, "During interrogation, Chinonso Ugochukwu AKA Bob Adam, an IPOB/ESN sub-commander aged 31 years old, confessed to the group's involvement in series of kidnappings/murders and provided information which led to the discovery and exhumation of several corpses buried in shallow graves in the forest among which is the alleged corpse of one Pastor Chima, one Jeremiah and one Ugochi Nwabueze all of Orsuobodo in Oguta LGA.
"Similarly, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested 2 suspects – Amucha Nkemdirim Innocent and Michael Okafor, both of Umuakagu-Nsu in Ehime Mbano LGA, Imo State – for their involvement in terrorism, kidnapping and murder in Umuakagu-Nsu community and recovered 2 pump-action gun and nine rounds of live ammunition.
"Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the shooting and murder of one Onyebuchi Anthony Njoku in Umuakagu-Nsu, and the kidnapping of one Nnamdi Ali and one Ohaeri Nathaniel Onyema, who according to the suspects, are currently being held hostage at IPOB camp in Okigwe. Coordinated intelligence-led operation is ongoing to rescue the victims.
"I commend the officers and men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for their bravery and professionalism, as well as other tactical teams that have continued to support our operations. We remain resolute in our mission to rid Imo State of criminal elements and ensure the safety of all residents.
"All the suspects arrested within the period under review will be arraigned in court with the appropriate criminal charges upon conclusionof investigations. I urge Imolites to continue supporting the Police with credible and timely information, assuring that such reports will be treated with utmost confidentiality and acted upon swiftly." he assured.
