IGBOZURUOKE FORUM

By Don Uba

Imo State police command yesterday paraded over 30 suspects for various offences, ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, child trafficking and others.

Briefing newsmen at the Command Headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Frederick Taiwo Lakanu, informed the press that the arrests became successful following the doggedness of officers under his command and the availability of   information supplied by the public.

Giving a breakdown of the criminal acts, Lakanu said “following a distress call on August 8, 2016 a five man gang of armed robbers were apprehended after carrying out their nefarious activity in a compound at Umukabia Nkwerre, where they made away with properties and cash, including a Nissan Xterra with registration number, KSF 829” and that one Chinonso Okoroafor of Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, was arrested in connection with the crime even as he was trying to escape with a tricycle.

He further gave the names of other members of the gang as: James Eze, from Oguta, Onyeka Uchendu, Ubomiri, Mbaitoli Tina Damian, wife of one of the suspects. He said assorted electronic gadgets, a generating set and handsets were recovered from them.

Furthermore, he said a four-year old boy, Chinecherem Njoku, who was equally abducted at Ehime Obowo was released. He stressed that while the boy was rescued, one Ndidi Ihezie, was arrested in connection to the boy’s kidnap.

He said, the crime was committed on July 10, 2016 but the boy was rescued the following day.

In another development, one Arinze Onyeriri,  was nabbed for alleged impersonation on Monday August 15, 2016 along Ukwuorji Umuaka road leading to Owerri/Onitsha express way. He was apprehended while in army uniform. Mr. Lakanu, said the  suspect has not given  account of how he came about a complete army uniform.

However, the 25-year suspect, who hails from Uli, in Anambra State, informed newsmen that he is a soldier, posted to Kaduna State, but only came to Imo State where he get involved in car-snatching activities.

Others paraded were: Comfort Chukwu of Oforola in Owerri West, Okechukwu Ofoegbu, Umuduru Amandugba, Isu, Sigismund Nwachukwu from Isinkwo Ebonyi State, Blessing Desmond of Mbieri Mbaitoli Imo state, Uchenna Udeaja, Awka-Etiti, Anambra State, Chidiebere Anukam, Chukwudi Nwoke from Isu Nwangele LGA, who was arrested for rape, Godswill Amaefule from Port Harcourt, Rivers State among others.

Lakanu, who held the parade exercise, appealed to the public to always provide the police with useful information that could lead to the arrest of criminal in the society. He thanked Imo people for their cooperation so far, saying the command is always ready to respond to every distress calls. He then called on these who have any form of criminal tendency in mind to relocate to other states or change from their evil thoughts for their own good.