End of Road for Anambra Kidnappers

It’s end of the road for kidnappers ravaging ‘Light of the Nation’ state of Anambra.

The latest exploit of the kidnappers was abduction of an industrialist popularly called ‘Pokobros’ in Awka, the state capital.

Several persons, including the industrialist’s wife and a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), were shot in the kidnappers’ operation. The DPO, reportedly posted new to the state, was, in particular, killed.

Consequent the foregoing, Governor Peter Obi, recently, launched a 60 months operation to stamp out kidnap and other violent crimes in the state.

The joint effort of Obi’s government and the armed forces in the state has already yielded fruits, as several of the alleged dare-devil kidnappers have been nabbed.

From the photographs up left, the kidnappers, if convicted, should be counting their days on earth, as the punishment for the offence of kidnap in the state is death. The law, passed by the state House of Assembly, a few months ago is already in force.

In addition, a four man kidnap gang was, days back, smashed by the State Security Services in the couse of which four-year old Sopuruchukwu Orji was rescued. 

Parading the suspects before Governor Obi and newsmen at the headquarters of the SSS, Amawbia, the State Director of the Agency, Joseph Opatimehim, said the suspects, students of Imo State University, were arrested in Owerri. 

 Also arrested was a teacher from Ideal Mind Foundation School, Awada, Miss Uju Agada from Awka-Etiti who allowed the prime suspect, Stephen Ebuka Ajaorogu, a 300 level Law student of the university to pick the child out of the classroom without following standing school instruction and without necessary clearance. 

Opatimehim said his agency, also, had in custody a female student suspect who assisted the kidnappers in purchasing food and other items. 

Narrating the incident, the SSS boss explained that last week, Monday, the 23 year old Stephen Ebuka Ajaorogu who hails from a wealthy and royal family in Imo state picked up 4 year old Sopuruchukwu from Ideal Mind Foundation School, Awada and took him to his hostel in Owerri where he told his school mates that the boy is the child of his elder sister who quarreled with the husband and has asked him to take care of the child. 

Mr. Opatimehim said the Prime suspect later called the father of the child, Mr. Orji from Ozubulu and demanded a ransom of ten million and threatened to use the child for ritual if he failed to pay. 

He disclosed that Mr. Ajaorogu is also suspected to have taken part in the kidnap of a popular business mogul from the State. 

Mr. Opatimehim stated that the Agency is investigating the level of complicity of the school teacher and other suspects in the crime and enjoined parents to be conscious of the company their children keep, assuring that they will not relent in ridding the state of hoodlums. 

  

The father of the child, Mr. Eric Orji thanked Governor Obi and the SSS from rescuing his child. 

  

The teacher suspect Miss Agada who said she had been in the school for six years admitted releasing the child to the suspect but claimed that she was sick on that day and did not quite know what she was doing. 

the Prime suspect, Mr. Ajaorogu admitted kidnapping the child and making a demand for ten million naira.  

Meanwhile, Governor Peter Obi has called on the good Nigerian who provided the information that lead to the arrest of the suspects to come immediately to the Government House Awka to collect a reward of two million naira as promised by the state government.  

Governor Obi said the arrest of the suspects has confirm that crimes in the State are perpetrated by external sources.  

The Governor made it clear that all involved will face the full weight of the law and stated that government has taken all necessary measures to secure life and property.  

He commended the Agency for it gallant and efficient operation and assured that government will continue to give the necessary support and encouragement.