Operation Puff Adder has arrested three suspects in military uniform for alleged kidnapping and impersonation in Anambra State. One of them has been confirmed to be a serving military officer.

Also in police net are two members of a car snatching syndicate.

It was gathered that the trio who disguised as military officers abducted around Ekwulobia Roundabout one Uchenna Ezeonu of Omeke village Ekwulobia and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

The suspects include Obinna Ojiegbe, who was in full military uniform, Peter Obasi and Benjamin Nicholas, both in military vests, as well as Ugochukwu Okoye.

A statement on Saturday by the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed, said that the victim, Uchenna Ezeonu, was rescued devoid of any incident.

The statement said: “At about 11am on 24/05/2019, there was a distress call along Isuofia road in Aguata LGA of Anambra State that three persons in military uniforms abducted around Ekwulobia Roundabout one Uchenna Ezeonu ‘m’ of Omeke village Ekwulobia and whisked him away to unknown destination.

“Following the distress call, Police Operatives attached to operation Puff Adder in conjunction with Joint Patrol teams rushed to the scene and cordoned off the entire area in search of the hoodlums along the bush path by Uyo-Eke market road.

“Consequently, three suspects in military attires who abducted the victim were rounded up and arrested inside the bush.”

The PPRO said that preliminary investigations revealed that one of the suspects, L/Cpl Ojiegbe Obinna, serves with the Nigerian Army and is deployed to 101 Special Forces Battalion, Maiduguri, Borno State.

According to Mohammed, the military officer has been handed over to Onitsha Military Cantonment for discreet investigation even as the remaining two suspects in military vest were discovered to be fake soldiers.

He said that case is under investigation in order to ascertain their motive after which they would be brought to justice.

Meanwhile, the Command also arrested a car snatching syndicate and recovered a stolen car.

The PPRO said that Mr. Franklin Ifeanyi of Isuoji and Steven Chinedu of Item, Bende Local Government Area, both in Abia State, were arrested for car theft.

He said that suspects stole a Toyota Corolla, silver colour with Registration Number BDG 317 FC belonging to one Engineer Ozoigbo Jude Daniel of No.12, Ogunbela Avenue, off Ago Palace Way, Okota Lagos.

He said that the vehicle was removed where it was parked at the owner’s residence and brought to Anambra State by the suspects.

The PPRO said: “At about 8:10pm on the 23/05/2019, police detectives attached to Umuchu Division arrested one Franklin Ifeanyi ‘m’ aged 42 years of Isuoji in Abia State but residing in Lagos and one Steven Chinedu ‘m’ aged 41 years of Item Bende LGA of Abia State also residing in Lagos.”

He added that the vehicle was recovered from the suspects and that the case will be transferred to Lagos Command for further investigation.

Similarly, one Emmanuel Loco who was abducted around Bucky Poly, Abatete road, has been rescued by the State Command.

Preliminary investigation revealed that victim was flagged down by two men on military polo and face cap at about 5:15pm along same road while driving his Mercedes Benz 320 SUV with registration number MHA 111KP before being joined by four other armed men who abducted him.

Mohammed in a statement said: “At about 7:35pm on 24/5/2019, a distress call was received at Ogidi Police Station that one Emmanuel Loco ‘m’ of Abagana was abducted within Ogidi around Bucky Poly Abatete road.

“Following the report, Police operatives attached to Operation Puff Adder and Ogidi Division mobilised to the area. Suspects on sighting the Police inside bush off Abatete road abandoned the victim and fled.”

He said that while case is under investigation, effort is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects in order to bring them to justice.

The Command called on public to be wary of this new trend of crime and report any suspicious persons to the nearest Police Station or through the Command emergency number 07039194332 for prompt action.

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