From CHARLES ONYEKWERE
Anambra State Police Command has arrested five suspects involved in kidnapping, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.
In a statement yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the arrest was as the result of the ongoing security operational review and safety initiatives implemented by the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu.
According to the statement, the ongoing security review has begun to expose undesirable elements in the state.
The statement detailed that in the early hours of February 22, police operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad stormed a criminal hideout in Igbariam and arrested Miracle Chukwunoso, Chinweze Charles and Bonaventure Chigozie, all males aged between 20 and 26.
The team also recovered a locally fabricated Beretta pistol from the suspects.
The statement revealed that the suspects had been identified by victims who were attacked and dispossessed of their personal belongings.
“A total sum of N254,000 was withdrawn from the victim’s account on February 21 along Otoko, Igbariam,” it stated.
In another development, the statement added that on February 16 at 2pm, police operatives attached to 3-3 Police Divisional Headquarters responded swiftly to a kidnapping incident and rescued the victim near Ejison Fuel Station along Enugu/Onitsha Expressway.
The operatives, through diligent follow-up, arrested two suspects (names withheld) to aid in apprehending other gang members and recovered one ash-colored Toyota Corolla, allegedly belonging to the victim, from a mechanic workshop in 3-3 area.
The statement noted that, according to the victim, the armed men forcefully withdrew more than N1 million from his account during his captivity and also dispossessed him of two phones valued at N820,000.
It also added that all the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
