Three killed as police, kidnappers battle

The Police Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Anambra State and a six-man gang of suspected kidnappers yesterday engaged in a gun battle at Okpoko in Ogbaru Local Government.

Three suspects died in the incident.

A victim, Mrs. Edith Maduekwe, who was kidnapped by the suspects on October 4 at Oba in Idemili South Local Government, was rescued at Oraukwu in Idemili North Council.

Seven hundred and seventy-six thousand naira, which was part of the N1.4million ransom paid by the victim’s family, was recovered.

Items recovered from the suspects included one Ak-47 rifle with 90 rounds, one pump action gun with 10 live cartridges, charms, etc.

Parading the suspects, police spokesman Uche Ezeh said the leader of the gang, Charlie Parker, had been on the wanted list for four years.

He said acting on a tip-off, the SARS Commander, James Nwafor, led his men to Okpoko where the suspects were sharing the ransom.

According to him, when the suspects saw the police, they opened fire.

Ezeh said three suspects were killed, while three were arrested with injuries, adding that one of them led the police to where the victim was rescued, before he died.

He said the suspects demanded N50million from the victim’s family before the amount was reduced to N1.4million, which was paid to them.

Seventeen suspects were paraded by the command for vandalism, rape, child trafficking and car snatching.

Two women were apprehended for allegedly involving in child trafficking at Ihiala.

One of the women, 32-year-old Oluchi Eze, was said to own a brothel (Mancho Hotels) at Uli in Ihiala Local Government.

She was allegedly involved in selling a child  for N400,000 with Ikenna Nzomiwu (at large), after snatching the baby from Chinyere Ohamuzo.

They allegedly carried out the child trafficking on October 28 at Uli in Ihiala Local Government.

Also, 22-year-old Chidiebere Ohanome from Unuobo village in Okija allegedly sold her son to an un-named woman for N200,000 after delivery in Onitsha.

She told newsmen that she wanted to abort the pregnancy, but was allegedly lured into child trafficking by one Dozie.

Others paraded included four men arrested for alleged car snatching.

They are 26-year-old Chigozie Obeleagu from Imo State, 25-year-old Kelechukwu Okoye from Orlu in Imo State, 56- year-old Peter Nnadika, also from Imo State and 38-year-old Oliver Adaonu from Nsukka in Enugu State.

Chibuzor Udensi from Okija, Okoli Udochukwu, Onyemechi Chibueze and Asuquo Effiong from Akwa-Ibom were paraded for allegedly vandalising the property of the Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

The command also paraded Ezenwoko Fred, who claimed to be a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State for alleged robbery.

The “final year Electrical/Electronics Engineering student”, who hails from Ebema, Omoku in Rivers State, claimed he was given a pistol by his friend, Frank, to intimidate a girl, who refused to yield to his advances after collecting his money.

The police spokesman said the suspects would be investigated and prosecuted.

He urged parents to monitor their children, saying the command would make the state crime-free.