Ebonyi State Police have killed three suspected murderers of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff during a gun duel and rescued his abducted wife.
This was even as the police also arrested eight members of the criminal gang.
News Rider reported that an Assistant Electoral Officer of INEC, Mr Emmanuel Igwe, was on Sunday, June 18, 2023, killed by suspected kidnappers operating along Ishiagu/Mpu road and abducted his wife.
Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Mr Emmanuel Aja, who confirmed the arrest and killing of the suspects to newsmen on Sunday in Abakaliki, hinted that the hoodlums were apprehended at their hideout in Lokpanta, Umunochi Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia state.
He praised the police for their courage and gallantry, promising that the council would not hesitate in ridding the area of criminals.
Aja hinted that the police had already launched a manhunt to capture the fleeing suspects, assuring that all the suspects would be arrested and brought to justice.
He added: “The successful operation of the Special Squad, Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ebonyi Police Command led to the arrest of eight suspected killers of the INEC staff while three of the suspects were neutralised in the operation.
“The killers, suspected to be kidnappers who also abducted the victim’s wife, were arrested at their hideout in a forest at Lokpanta in Abia state on Saturday, June 24.
“Efforts are being intensified to apprehend the leader of the criminal gang, nicknamed ‘Alhaji’, who fled during the gun duel between the gang and the police.
“The suspected kidnappers are allegedly responsible for the various kidnappings and other criminal activities in the council area."
Assuring his administration’s commitment to rid the LGA of crimes, Aja pleaded with Ebonyi people to always volunteer useful information to the police on the activities of hoodlums in their areas.
“Security is everyone’s business, when you see something, say something because in that way, we will be several steps ahead of the criminals,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Ebonyi Command, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya confirmed the killing and arrest of the fleeing suspects.
Onovwakpoyeya noted that the abducted woman was rescued unhurt in a thick forest in Abia state.
“Yes, the woman, Mrs Charity Igwe, who was kidnapped while her husband was killed has regained freedom. She was rescued in a forest at Lokpanta community in Abia state and she is receiving medical treatment in a hospital." Onovwakpoyeya added.
The image maker hinted that investigation is still ongoing to fish out everyone in connection with the crime.
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