Gang Of Six Nabbed For Alleged Kidnap, Armed Robbery & Murder Of Council Boss

Six persons have been arrested by the Department of State Security Services (DSSS), Ebonyi State Command, for alleged kidnap, murder and armed robbery. They were accused of allegedly abducting and killing the former coordinator of Okposi Development Centre, Mr. Ihebunandu Okorie, in March. The
DSSS Director, Mr. L.B. Baba, parading the suspects at the weekend, said they abducted the council boss on March 16 at the Presbyterian Church, Okposi in Ohaozara Local Government.

He said after contacting the family and demanding N50million ransom, which they later reduced to N5million before collecting N500,000, the suspects killed the council boss in Nguzu Edda forest. Baba gave their names as Ebere (32), Odichimma (30), Chukwudi (32), Amos (23), Peter (30) and Adamu. He withheld their surnames, saying some of them also engaged in drug pushing (cocaine).

Items recovered from the gang included three AK 47 rifles, 16 magazines loaded with 437, Honda IV Tech car with Lagos State registration number FST 254 AE and Ash colour Toyota Picnic with Lagos State number plate JJJ 777 PU.

The DSSS chief said one of the suspects, Ebere from Edda in Ebonyi State, was arrested in Abia State when he wanted to collect the ransom, adding that he owned two AK47 rifles and was a notorious cocaine dealer, Odichimma from Abia State was arrested in Asaba, Delta State in April. He is said to own one AK 47 rifle. Baba said Chukwudi from Umuozo Abia State was arrested in April at Promise Hotel, Lagos where he fled to after the kidnap of the late Okorie, while Amos, from the same town with the deceased in Ebonyi State, brought the business and involved other suspects. He was arrested at Ajegunle in Lagos State.

Baba said Peter from Enugu Ukwu in Anambra State, a panel beater who built a compartment under the Toyota Picnic van used by the gang for the movement of arms and ammunition, bulk cash and cocaine, was arrested this month, while Adamu from Kogi State contacted one of the suspects, demanding AK47 rifle to rob a company in Port Harcourt.

The DSSS boss said the suspects also participated in other kidnaps and armed robberies, including the abduction of an 80-year-old woman in Ilesha, Osun State in December last year, during which a N28.6 million ransom was paid before the victim was released, adding that they stole over N5 million from a bank in February.

Source: The Nation