The Imo State Police Command has arrested an alleged serial kidnapper, Richard Ebony and another suspected cultist, one Chukwuemeka Peter Ekechi over their alleged involvement in heinous crimes in the state.
Police spokesperson in the state, Henry Okoye, said the two suspects were rounded up in their different hideouts after painstaking investigations.
Okoye said 28-year-old Ebony popularly known as Linking, had confessed to his complicity in 13 kidnap incidents which included the kidnap of a 79-year-old Mrs Iren Okereafor on June 12th, 2018; Mrs Victoria Iroakazi on December 6th, 2019; Justin Nwanna on May 20th 2018, and other prominent individuals in Imo state.
The statement read “The suspected serial kidnapper, Richard Ebony aka (Linking), ‘m’ 28yrs, was arrested in his criminal hideout at Agbala in Owerri North LGA of Imo State, by operatives of the Command’s Anti Kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base), after an intense follow-up to a diligently gathered actionable intelligence and data tracking analysis by the determined operatives.'”
Police disclosed that one automatic pump action gun loaded with six rounds of live ammunition was recovered from the suspect.
On the other hand, Ekechi, an alleged deadly cultist was arrested on March 28th in a well-coordinated strike by operatives of Nekede Divisional headquarters Crack squad unit, complemented by the local vigilantes.
Chukwuemeka, suspected to be connected with some heinous crimes was reported to have confessed to being a member of the Black Axe Ccnfraternity and is currently assisting the police with useful information in the ongoing comprehensive investigation.
Okoye said “The arrest of the suspects underscores the Command’s unflinching dedication to stemming the tide of violent crimes in the state, and ensuring the safety and security of all its law-abiding residents during the Easter season and beyond”.
He assured of the Command’s readiness to effectively protect the state, under the State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma.
“While assuring members of the public that the suspects will certainly have their day in Court, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma beckons on the good people of Imo State to remain security conscious in the seasons of Easter and join hands with the Police and other security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality in the State,” the statement read.
Further, Okoye said “CP Aboki Danjuma reiterates that the Command under his watch will continue to uphold the core values of professionalism, transparency, and respect for the fundamental human rights of citizens while effectively maintaining law and order and providing maximum safety and security for the good people of Imo State”.
