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Police dismantle notorious kidnapping syndicate in Imo – PPRO

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Operatives of the Imo Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit have reportedly dismantled a notorious kidnapping syndicate terrorising Ubomiri, Ogbaku, and Ohii communities in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement issued in Owerri and made available to newsmen on Sunday.

Okoye stated that the operation, which took place on Thursday, January 16, in a forest near Agwa, Oguta Local Government Area, led to the arrest of a suspect, one Ozioma Dike, after a gun duel.

According to him, Dike confessed to being part of a group responsible for several kidnappings in the area.

He said a pump-action rifle, loaded with seven live rounds of ammunition, and an iPhone, belonging to a victim, who was kidnapped on January 8, were recovered from the suspect.

“The police are still searching for other members of the syndicate, who fled into the bush during the operation.

“Dike is currently in custody and will be arraigned at the end of the investigation,” he added.

Okoye further explained that the anti-kidnapping unit also arrested 40-year-old Uchenna Okpara, for allegedly stabbing his in-law, Uchenna Unakalamba, to death in Ubomiri.

He said that the incident occurred following a minor dispute involving their children.

“Okpara reportedly attacked Unakalamba with a broken bottle when the dispute escalated.

“Responding to a distress call, police operatives apprehended the suspect and recovered the weapon.

“The victim was confirmed dead at a hospital, and the suspect remains in custody, pending the conclusion of investigations and subsequent prosecution,” Okoye noted.

He affirmed the command’s determination to intensify efforts in combating violent crimes and maintaining peace and security in the state, under the watch of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Aboki Danjuma.

Peter Okolie

NEWSVERGE, published by The Verge Communications is an online community of international news portal and social advocates dedicated to bringing you commentaries, features, news reports from a Nigerian-African perspective. A unique organization, founded in the spirit of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, comprising of ordinary people with an overriding commitment to seeking the truth and publishing it without fear or favour. The Verge Communications is fully registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a corporate organization.

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