The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the death of Oluchukwu Elekwachi, a suspected notorious kidnapper from Amara, Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state.

Elekwachi, identified as a key member of the proscribed Eastern Security Network (ESN), was allegedly involved in several violent crimes, including the kidnapping of a female police officer, the murder of a trailer driver, and the attack on Owerri Police Barracks.

The police only acknowledged Elekwachi?s death after a civil liberties organization raised concerns about his disappearance on Sunday.

According to the command?s spokesman, Henry Okoye, Elekwachi?s criminal activities ended on September 11, 2024, when he engaged police operatives in a gun battle while attempting to escape.

He sustained fatal injuries and was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.

Okoye further revealed that Elekwachi had been on the police radar after he ambushed and killed two officers and a security personnel on June 11, 2024.

His identification was made possible after surveillance footage linked him to the crime when his vehicle broke down.

Okoye said: ?Oluchukwu Elekwachi ?m? was a notorious kidnapper from Amara, Ikeduru LGA, a key member of the proscribed ESN. He was one of the most wanted criminals in Imo State, linked to several violent crimes, including the 2022 kidnapping of a female police officer, the 2023 murder of a trailer driver at Orji Flyover, and the 2021 attack on Owerri Police Barracks, where IPOB/ESN commander ?Dragon? was neutralized.

?However, his reign of terror came to an end when, on June 11, 2024, at about 06:30 hours, Elekwachi and his gang ambushed police officers conducting a stop-and-search operation at Amajohn Akabor, Ikeduru LGA, also chartered away with their two AK47 Riffles. The attack led to the tragic deaths of two officers?Inspector Samuel Akagu and Inspector Unah Utele?as well as a civilian security personnel, Mr. Eddy Ogele, who worked at Progressive Hotel, Akabo.

?Fleeing the scene, Elekwachi and his gang attempted to escape, but as fate would have it, their operational vehicle, a black Lexus SUV, broke down. Surveillance footage from a concerned resident captured Elekwachi and five of his accomplices trying to fix the vehicle, leading to his identification.

?Building on this crucial intelligence, security operatives launched a manhunt, tracked him to his hideout at Amajohn, Ikeduru on September 11, 2024. When confronted, he engaged police operatives in a gun duel, during which he sustained gunshot injuries while attempting to escape. He was rushed to the hospital, where he later died while receiving treatment.? (The Nation)

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