The Ebonyi State Police Command yesterday arrested two soldiers (names withheld) and two civilians, Mmaduabuchi and Obiefule, who allegedly masterminded the kidnap of an Ebonyi businessman, Mr. Igwe Kingsley Uche.

The incident which occurred around 2:15 pm, took passers-by by surprise as the victim, who went to eat at a joint on Ogoja Road, was allegedly forced into a waiting Lexus RX 300 jeep by suspected kidnappers in Army uniforms.

The victim, who was dazed, decided to escape for his life by jumping out from the kidnappers’ car at a police point along Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway

Explaining his ordeal to newsmen in Abakaliki, the victim said: “The hoodlums were on high speed along Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway heading to Enugu State. Luckily, I saw a police check-point and I jumped out of the jeep and alerted the policemen, who arrested them.

“The kidnappers were taken to the police headquarters, Abakaliki, where two of the kidnappers are being detained. The two soldiers and the two cars used for the operation: RX 300 Lexus Jeep and a Honda car, without plate numbers including two AK 47 rifles and one pistol were taken to Nkwagu Military Cantonment, Abakaliki.”

While commending the police for his rescue, the victim, however, alleged his unlawful and subsequent bail at the police command despite his travail.

According to him, “my life was under threat and I don’t understand why the police are not straightforward with this case.”

The state police spokesman, DSP Jude Madu, confirmed the kidnap.

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