The Police Public Relations Officer in
the state, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said operatives of the command’s
Anti-kidnap Squad arrested the suspects.
The suspects are Madubuchi Ani and Chiadikobi Ani, residents of Amechi-Awkunanaw, and identified as armourers of the gang.
Others are Ozioma Eze and Chijioke of
Amuzu village in Ngwaiyiekwe, Ugwunagbor Local Government Area of Abia
State, who had been declared, wanted several months ago for allegedly
kidnapping Tochukwu Okeke.
Amaraizu, however, said the arrest was
made possible following a specimen that was collected a fortnight ago
when the police engaged the suspects in a shootout.
According to him, the suspects were arrested with bullet wounds.
The PPRO said the specimen was analysed and it gave an insight into the involvement of a driver of a Coal City taxi.
Amaraizu said, “Following this, the taxi
driver was monitored and arrested on September 21, 2012 and he led us
to arrest the four suspects.
“The registration number of the taxi is
ENU 967 XA and fleet No 702. The driver was identified as Isiwu Victor
of 5, Barrister Asogwa Street, Abakpa, Enugu.
“He confessed that on the day of the
exchange of fire between the hoodlums and security operatives at Uwani
area, he came in the morning, as arranged with the gang, to carry them
away but discovered that the police had arrested his gang members, hence
he had to disappear from the scene.”
Explaining the role of the taxi driver
in the kidnap of the VC, the PPRO said the suspect cleared the coast for
them to ensure that there were no policemen on the road.
Amaraizu said, “He also assisted the hoodlums to carry their arms in his taxi to any place where they lodged.
“He mentioned that he had already
dropped the arms with the hoodlums on that fateful day and left to come
back the following morning to carry the arms only to find out that some
of the kidnappers had been arrested.”
