The Anambra State Police Command has smashed a notorious kidnap gang that operates around the Anam axis of Anambra West Local Government Area and arrested two of its members.
The suspects were said to have kidnapped a victim at Aguleri in Anambra East LGA on June 26 and collected N4.5 million as ransom from the family before the victim was released, but his car was not released.
They were arrested by the police operatives when one of them had gone to Agulu in Anaocha LGA of the state to seek a buyer for the vehicle.
The state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed the development in a statement on Saturday.
Ikenga said, “On July 18, 2023, police detectives were alerted to one Chukwuebuka Esulo from Ebonyi State who was seeking a buyer in Agulu, Anaocha LGA, for a black Mercedes Benz GLK SUV registration number BLF 746 EA.
“The owner of the vehicle had earlier been reported kidnapped in Aguleri on June 26, 2023, and the sum of N4.5m was extorted as ransom from the family before he was released.
“Detectives swooped on the suspect and arrested him for questioning. He confessed to being a member of the kidnap gang and disclosed that he was sent from their camp to sell the car.
“On the orders of the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Aderemi Adeoye, the case was transferred to the Anti-kidnapping Unit, Awkuzu who then went after other members of the gang.
“This led to the arrest of one other member of the gang called Ejeka Ufuo, ‘m’ 23 years, who was led to believe that the vehicle had been sold and he came out with the intent of collecting the proceeds.
“Efforts are ongoing to round up other members of the gang and recover their weapons.”
He added that the commissioner of police commended all personnel involved in the breakthrough and urged them to redouble their effort until the menace of kidnapping is eradicated in Anambra State.
