Police in Ebonyi State have reportedly neutralised three suspected killers of a staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and rescued his kidnapped wife.
The victim, Emmanuel Igwe, an Assistant Electoral Officer (AEO), was, on Sunday, June 18, killed by suspected kidnappers operating along the Ishiagu/Mpu Road and abducted his wife.
The police also arrested no fewer than eight members of the gang. Chairman of Ivo Council of the state, Emmanuel Aja, who confirmed the development, yesterday, in Abakaliki, noted that the hoodlums were busted at their hideout in Lokpanta, Umunochi Council of Abia State.
He commended men of the Nigeria police for their courage and gallantry, pledging that the council would not hesitate in ridding the area of criminals. He said the police had launched a manhunt to capture other suspects, assuring that all suspects would be arrested and brought to justice.
“The successful operation of the Special Squad of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ebonyi Command of the Nigeria Police led to the arrest of no fewer than eight suspected killers of the INEC staff, while three of them were neutralised in the operation.
“The killers, who abducted their victim’s wife, were arrested at their hideout in a forest at Lokpanta, in Abia State, yesterday. “Efforts are being intensified to apprehend the leader of the gang, nicknamed ‘Alhaji’, who fled during gun duel between the gang and police.
“The suspects are allegedly responsible for various kidnappings and other criminal activities in the council area,” Aja said.
The chairman, who expressed his administration’s commitment to rid the council of crime, called on the people to volunteer useful information to the police on activities of hoodlums in their areas.
He said: “Security is everyone’s business; when you see something, say something. That way, we would be several steps ahead of criminals.” Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebonyi Command, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said the abducted woman was rescued unhurt in a thick forest in Abia State.”
