Police in Imo State yesterday said they had arrested a serial kidnapper who was on their wanted list for some time.
The spokesman, Michael Abattam, in a statement, said in line with the command’s commitment to check terrorism and kidnapping in the state, the commissioner of police, Mohammed Ahmed Barde, directed the tactical teams to embark on vigorous raids of all criminal hideouts.
“The command’s operatives on 29/8/2022 at about 12:30hours after diligent gathering of information on identified terror camps in the state, raided a terror camp in the forest at Ohuba village in Ohaji Egbema local government area. The hoodlums on sighting the police operatives immediately engaged them in a gun duel, but were overwhelmed, resulting in the arrest of one Amarachi Amadi aka Ishiegburumma, the leader of a notorious gang on the wanted list of the command. He sustained bullet wounds during the gun battle while others escaped into the forest.
“Operatives while combing the forest saw a victim, Uzondu Ikeazuta, a native of Isiala Mbano local government area in chains. He was freed unhurt. In the same vein, they recovered exhibits.
“In the course of debriefing the victim, it was revealed that he was kidnapped by a five man armed gang, on 28/8/2022 at about 13:00 hours at Imo Specialist Hospital Junction, Umuguma in Owerri West local government area. While in their custody, he was subjected to torture which almost resulted in the cutting off his manhood for ritual purposes. The kidnappers were demanding a ransom of N1.7m,” the spokesman said.
He added that investigation was in progress and the command was not relenting in their efforts to arrest other members of the syndicate.
