By CHARLES IWUOHA

A suspected kidnap kingpin who allegedly masterminded and killed Mr Emmanuel Igwe, a staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and abducted his wife has been arrested by the police.

This was made known by the Ivo Local Government Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Ajah, on Sunday while speaking to journalists in Abakiliki.

Ajah narrated that the alleged kingpin – whose identity he did not disclose – was tracked and arrested through the combined efforts of the Nigeria Police, local vigilantes, and other security agencies.

According to him, “Last time, we recorded success by arresting the second in command of that team, called Gonner, in Abia State. And we continued looking for the kingpin. Today, we have succeeded in arresting the Alhaji himself. He is now cooling his heels at the police station.

“We spent a lot of money looking for them because they didn’t stay in one place and they changed phone numbers. We have looked for them in Lagos, Kaduna, Delta and other places. But yesterday night, we recorded success by apprehending the kingpin.”

He said further: “Alhaji Is the one who collected the ransom for the release of the kidnap victim from the police and entered the bush. He is now at the police station. He never denied it. I’m just coming out of the police station, and he didn’t deny collecting the ransom.”

Ajah also disclosed the arrest of another two suspected kidnappers and the rescue of three victims abducted recently in the council area.

This development, he said, was the result of the joint efforts of the Nigerian Army, Police, and members of the local security outfit in Ivo LGA.

The police Public Relations officer (PPRO), Ebonyi State Command, ASP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, could not be reached as at the time of filing this report.