In
a bid to ensure crime free yuletide season the Anambra State Government
has stepped-up its pursuit of criminals and kidnappers in their den
with the demolition of three buildings used to incarcerate kidnap
victims at Aguleri and Umuleri, Anambra East Local Government Area.
The
buildings include a four room and parlour bungalow at Ararite Aguleri
owned by a man from Umuobanam but used by his caretaker, one Jude Onu
from Imo State and his gang to keep kidnap victims including one Tony,
an Onitsha based businessman. Other kidnap gangs were said to have used
the building as hideout while negotiating for ransome.
Confirming
Police encounter with the gang, Assistant Commissioner of Police,
Joseph Agugoesi said that five members of the gang were killed in a gun
duel with Police last year where the kidnap victim Tony was rescued.
According to the ACP, “during the Police raid the sum of five Million
Naira paid to the gang as ransome was recovered with two AK Forty-Seven
riffles while Jude their leader escaped.”
A
member of the community Mr. Lawrence Odinuko confirmed that the house
was known as a kidnap den and that the youths had tried to destroy the
hideout. He commended Governor Obiano for his dogged fight against crime
in the state.
At
Umuatulu, Umurueri, a storey building and an adjoining boys quarter
were also demolished. The buildings belong to late Ozoemena Egwuatu but
were used by his twin nephew Ejima Nwandu for kidnap activities.
One
of the suspects in Police custody confirmed that they hid one Mr
Ifeanyi whom they kidnapped in Awka and another woman taken at Aroma
junction. He said the victims paid seven million and five Million Naira
respectively to buy their freedom, while other gangs including one
notorious Chibuzo Onowu also used the hideout.
Wife
of the late deceased landlord Mr. Egwuatu admitted that the said Ejima
Nwandu lived in the house but denied knowledge of their kidnap
activities. Also a Community leader who lives in the neighborhood, Mr.
Emeke said that Ejima was a notorious robber declared wanted by the
community.
ACP Agugoesi
confirmed that the suspect Ejima Nwandu who used the Umueri house as
kidnap den and some members of the gang were killed in a shootout with
the Police last year. He assured Ndi Anambra that the battle against the
kidnappers and armed robbers in Anambra would be sustained. Mr.
Agugoesi commended Governor Willie Obiano for his resolute stand against
criminals and kidnappers and support for law enforcement personnel in
Anambra State.
Source: The Executive Assistant to the Governor on Media
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