Four members of a kidnap gang, including a gospel band leader, one Paschal Obinna Offor from Arondizuogu, Imo State, have been killed in Anambra State.

They were overpowered by a team of policemen in a gun duel yesterday at their den in Eziowelle, Idemmili North Local Government Area.

Leader of the gang, however, only sustained bullet wounds after the encounter, while 18 other suspected armed robbers, rapist and a dealer in counterfeit currency were paraded.

Speaking to newsmen at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia on the breakthroughs recorded by the Police in the month of March this year, Governor Obiano warned: “Criminals cannot be allowed to derail our match to greatness in Anambra. My government and the security agencies are ever ready to deal with unscrupulous elements that breach law and order especially before, during and after elections. I wish to assure law abiding citizens that their safety and that of our guests is assured.”

He commended the security operatives for the arrest of the Kidnappers, armed robbery suspects/receivers of robbery items, arrest of false informant and rapists within the period.

Confirming the feat achieved by officials of Operation Nkpochapu operating under the State Joint Security Task Force, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea. Karma pointed out that “on March 25, this year, following a tip-off, SARS operatives raided the kidnap den at Eziowelle where the late Gospel Artiste, Obinna Offor, the leader of the gang one Abuchi Arinze Onoja from Enugu-Ezike, Igboeze North LGA, Jude Obi from Asaba, Delta State, Chinedu Emelue from Anaku in Ayamelum LGA of Anambra State, Uchenna Chike from Awkuzu, Urama Chizoba Jude from Enugu-Ezike in Igboeze North LGA engaged them in a shoot-out.”

Mr. Karma stated that in the process, the security operatives rescued one victim, Jacob Uchenna who was kidnapped on March 22, this year along Limca Rroad, Onitsha.

Items recovered from the gang include two AK 47 rifles, four AK 47 magazines, one pump action rifle, 177 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, 30 live cartridges.

The CP disclosed further: “On March 25, this year, arrested one Emeka Ikegwuonu, 18 years, accused of robbing one Mrs. Josephine of a set of jewelleries valued at about N1.4 million, one Nokia phone valued at N15,000 in addition to cash to the tune of N40,000 which he sold to one Alhaji Ibrahim Garuba, 45 years who was later arrested by the police at Nnewichi for receiving the stolen items.”

He also said the police had earlier in February 19, this year, arrested one Echezona Ibekwe and Ikechukwu Ukoro, both of Obosi in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State along Obosi Flyover.

The suspects robbed one Mrs. Edith Eduzor of her handbag containing the sum of N20, 000 and some jewellery at Umuagu village Oba in Idemili South LGA of the State.

According to Karma, a similar breakthrough was achieved when on March 8, one Ifeanyi Uzor, Michael Ifenatu and three others still at large intercepted passengers of an L-300 Bus on transit from Owerri to Onitsha at gun point and robbed them, including one Dr Mrs. Nneka Esomonu of all their valuable property like IPAD, Phone, valued at N100, 000 and certain amount of physical cash at New Park Owerri Road Onitsha.

He confirmed that two suspects who fled from the scene were later arrested on March 19 with a National Driver’s License bearing the name of Dr. Mrs Nneka Esomonu being part of the items robbed from her.

Karma also revealed that on March 15 one Uche Madu, 20, of Eziama village, Uli in Ihiala LGA and Daniel Ndidague of Ukpo, who specialized in snatching of motorcycles, were arrested for robbing one Mrs Uche Blessing and Uche Chinaza of Ukpo of a cash sum of N18,000, mobile shell handset valued at N10,000 at a gun point.

Furthermore, he disclosed that on March 15 the police arrested one Anthony Anyaegbunam from Uli for allegedly robbing one Ezike Amarachi of Umuama village, Uli of two handsets valued at N50, 000.

He said the suspects and others at large, who posed as passengers, robbed and shot the victim at the back with a locally-made pistol.

He also pointed out that on March 18, the police arrested one Ifenatuoha Oformairu, 40 years of Ofufu Amakwe village, Ozubulu for allegedly raping one Chioma (surname withheld) from same area.

The CP highlighted another case which occurred on March 21, when one Mrs. Anthonia Adeli of Nando raised a false alarm that she was kidnapped by one Chibogu Jideofor and others, but she managed to escape.

However, following investigation, the commissioner said, it was discovered that one Chibueze Adeli, her son, had earlier assaulted one Oluchukwu Olise, the wife to Chibogu for refusing to marry him and was on the run before Mrs. Anthonia came to give the false information to mislead members of the public.

He added that the security operatives accosted another five-man gang preparing for armed robbery operation at Obosi community, when the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives from Ogidi and vigilante group from Obosi moved to Afa-Dike village Obosi, where both Ebuka Maduka and Nwanegbo Ebuka were arrested with one double barrel pistol while three others escaped from the scene.

The CP also commended the commitment of governor Obiano to crime fighting and the unity amongst the Police, Army, Navy and other security agencies for cooperating to achieve the feat against criminals.

On the forthcoming general elections, he said about 8,000 police men have been deployed to man Polling Units across the State during the exercise in addition to other security who had also been tasked to carry out other electoral assignment.

He reiterated that the police and other security operatives are ready for the elections, and reassured members of the society to remain law abiding, stressing that any criminal who refuse to quit the state or repent, will be caught by the long arm of the law.

•Photo shows some of the 20 suspected criminals paraded yesterday in Awka.

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