The war against criminals, particularly kidnappers recorded another success, as the Department of state security service arrested four kidnap suspects in Anambra.
Besides, the Anambra state Director of State Security, Mr Alex okeyi has commended Governor Willie Obiano for his efforts to rid the state of criminality, just as he hailed the activities of sister security agencies in the fight against armed robbery, kidnappers among others.
Parading the three arrested suspects to newsmen at the SSS headquarters, Amawbia, Okeyi advised people with questionable character in Anambra state to retrace their steps and engage in noble type of lively hood, warning that offenders stand to be arrest and face immediate prosecution.
‘’Criminals and criminally minded elements are hereby advised to desist from their notorious activities, … they will be arrested and brought to book someday, if they do not repent”, the SSS boss said.
He named the suspects as Chukwuebuka Okafor (27) from Uruezealor (Abakiliki), Ernest Elem (27) from Enugu state and a Herbalist believed to be their medicine man, Ajan oyibor (68), a native of Abakwu in Ayemelum local government area of Anambra state.
According to Okeyi, his men acting on a tip offmoved into action, and rescued a kidnap victim (names withheld) at Obunike in Oyi council area of Anambra, adding that one pump action gun, 25 live round catridges, chains and other dangerous weapons were recovered from their hideout
“The victim was kidnapped August 28, this year at Uruezealor village, ogidi in idemili North council Area near his residence. The kidnappers demanded from the victim’s family the sum of N100 million which was later reduced to N2.5 million as at September 1 2014.
“The herbalist, a suspected accomplice, has a room shrine opposite the room where the victim was kept,. “he said, adding that oyibor was arrested with the assistance of vigilantes and Police Division.
Okeiyi also disclosed that their investigation reveals that the same gang kidnapped an Onitsha-based legal practioner, Ejike Efobi on 15 ,June this year at Nkpor, Idemili North council area and kept him in the same hideout until undisclosed ransom was paid for his release.
He said investigation is still on-going while efforts are intensified to arrest other gang members who are at large, insisting that kidnap incidence has reduced drastically to one case in a week in Anambra.
At separate interviews, the three suspects denied being members of any kidnap gang, although Elem acknowledged to have known the two others, Okafor and Oyibor
In his statement to newsmen, Okafor recognized the victim as his cousin, saying he accompanied one Lulu to collect a Sim card (allegedly used for their negotiation for ransom), which was later submitted to “my man”. He mentioned others to include Ugo, Nnonso and Emeka who hail from Ebonyi state.
