Newsonspot blog reports that the Imo state Police Command on Monday 3rd August 2020 paraded gang of kidnappers and armed robbers who have been terrorizing the state, among whom were a traditional ruler from Obor Awarra in Ohaji Egbema Local government area Eze Andrew Okuegbunuwa.
According to the commissioner of Police Mr Isaac Akinmoyede, a total of 31 suspects involved in various crimes ranging from sexual and gender based crimes like incest, defilement, rape, to heinous ones like Armed Robbery and kidnapping were arrested.
He said that on 19 July 2020 a gang of kidnappers came into Owerri metropolis at different locations and Kidnap one Louis Obodo aged 45 of mgbala Agwa, while escaping with the victim, the operative of Anti kidnapping Unit AKU and Special Anti – Robbery SARS gave them a hot chase forcing them to abandon three of their victim and their operational vehicle a Lexus 330 SUV with Reg. number EDO URM 40 EL. However fews months later SARS operative arrived the scene and saw the abandoned vehicle and recovered it to station.
Through painstaking and diligent investigation we arrested one Eze Andrew Okuegbunuwa aged 59 old of Obor community in Awara Ohaji Egbema LGA in connection with the kidnap, further investigation revealed that the suspect provided operation vehicle for the kidnappers, having losts the vehicle in the operation, the Eze was given the sum of 3million naira to replace the vehicle.
Other suspect include one Mr Benard Uzoma a native doctor at umunoha in Mbaitoli local government who provide the gang with protection from death and arrest, he was paid 200,000 as his own share from the loot, a total sum Seven million five hundred thousand naira was paid for the release of their two victims.
Recovered items include 4million 200 thousand naira cash, 4 Ak47 rifles , one LAR rifle, one SMG Belonging to the slain NDLEA officer, 120 round of 7.62mm life ammunition, three motor cycle and 1 Lexus 330 SUV.
Other suspect include one Pastor Joseph Anthony of Living Faith Church Njaba who was also arrested for the defilement of one Favour Chiamaka aged 11years, the daughter of his fellow Pastor Chukwuma Okoronkwo who accommodated him in their house, on the day of the incident, the said Pastor Joseph took advantage of the fact that his colleague was not at home and had canal knowledge of the victim.
Investigation is at advance stage as they will be charged to court according.
However, Pastor Joseph Anthony denied commiting the crime saying that he was tempted to commit the offence.
