Operatives of the Ebonyi State Police Command have reportedly killed three of the suspected killers of a member of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission and rescued his kidnapped wife.
The victim, Emmanuel Igwe, an Assistant Electoral Officer of INEC, was attacked and killed on June 18, 2023.
Igwe was killed by suspected kidnappers operating along the Ishiagu/Mpu Road, who also abducted his wife.
The police also arrested no fewer than eight members of the criminal gang.
Emmanuel Aja, Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi, who confirmed the arrest and killing of three of the suspects to newsmen on Sunday in Abakaliki, the state capital, noted that the hoodlums were busted at their hideout in Lokpanta, Umunochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
He commended men of the Nigeria Police for their courage and gallantry and pledged that the council would not hesitate in ridding the area of criminals.
He said that the police had launched a manhunt to capture the fleeing suspects, assuring that all the suspects would be arrested and brought to justice.
Aja said: “The successful operation of the Special Squad of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ebonyi Command of the Nigeria Police led to the arrest of no fewer than 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 their 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.”
The Chairman, who expressed his administration’s commitment to rid the LGA of crimes, called on the people to always volunteer useful information to the police on activities of hoodlums in their various areas.
Aja added: “Security is everyone’s business, when you see something, say something because in that way, we will be several steps ahead of the criminals.”
Confirming the development to the NAN in an interview, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, the Public Relations Officer, Ebonyi State Police Command, said the abducted woman was rescued unhurt in a thick forest in Abia State.
Onovwakpoyeya said: “Yes, the woman, Mrs. Charity Igwe, who was kidnapped while her husband was killed, has regained freedom.
“She was rescued in a forest at Lonkpanta community in Abia State and she is receiving medical treatment in a hospital.
“Investigation is still ongoing to fish out everyone connected with the crime.”
