9 kidnap, armed robbery suspects, corps member paraded by Anambra police----N500,000 ransom paid

A gang of nine young men were yesterday paraded by the Anambra state Police command for suspected armed robbery and kidnapping at different places in the State.

The suspects were paraded at Awkuzu, the headquarters of  the Special Anti Robbery Squared (SARS) of the police command.

Parading the suspects, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ali Okechukwu revealed that one Sopuluchukwu Obika, Abuchi Okoro, Ndubisi Ogeh, and Anthony Ezekwem on February 23rd, 2016 conspired and robbed at gun point one Ikechukwu Ogeh of the sum of N3million along Awka/Enugu express way by Amansea in Awka North Council Area of the State.

He also added that another suspect, one Kinglsy Oreke, a serving Corp Member attached to Ebonyi State, conspired with one Ugochukwu Ozioko, who is now at large, broke into Igwe’s lodge in Abagana, Njiko Local Government area and robbed students of National Open University of their handsets, lap tops and cash sum of N92, 000.

Also paraded were one Chigozie Ezinwa, Chinonso Okere, Chukwuka Abamafo, and Arinze Okoye, who on March 6th, 2016  lured one Nkiru Anene out of Onitsha Sports Club through facebook to Oguta  road, Onitsha where she was kidnapped to an uncompleted building at Obosi.

The Police image maker disclosed further that the victim, Nkiru Anene was kept for days until a ransom of N500,000 was paid by victim’s family.

“The victim was stripped naked (and may be raped) and video recorded the action after robbing her of a Samsung Galaxy, Blue Tap phone and Wrist Watch valued at N90,000” he said.

The PPRO, Ali Okechukwu, however reassured the good people of Anambra state of the command’s commitment and resolve to rid the state off crime and criminalities while thanking the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for his effort in assisting the command.

Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime, though, the Corp member attributed the act to economic hardship in the country while one kidnap suspect, Chigozie Ezinwa denied collecting any ransom from the suspects family.

Items recovered from the suspects include one locally made short gun with a live cartridge and an axe.