By Wilson Adekumola
The operatives of the Ebonyi State Police Command have reportedly killed three suspects linked to the murder of a member of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission and rescued his abducted wife.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the victim, Mr Emmanuel Igwe, an Assistant Electoral Officer of INEC, was killed on Sunday, June 18, by suspected kidnappers operating along the Ishiagu/Mpu road and abducted his wife.
At least eight members of the criminal gang were also arrested by the police.
The Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Mr Emmanuel Aja, while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Abakaliki confirmed the arrest and killing of three of the suspects stating that the the police stormed the hideout of the hoodlums in Lokpanta, Umunochi Local Government Area of Abia state.
He then appreciated men of the Nigeria police for their bravery and pledged that the council would not hesitate in ridding the area off criminals.
He said that the police had launched a manhunt to capture the fleeing members of the gang, expressing confidence that all the suspects would be arrested and brought to justice.
“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,” Aja said.
The chairman, who expressed his administration’s commitment to rid the LGA of crimes, called on the people of the area to always volunteer useful information to the police on activities of hoodlums in their various 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 added.
The State Command’s Spokesperson, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria disclosing 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 Lonkpanta community in Abia state and she is receiving medical treatment in a hospital.
“Investigation is still ongoing to fish out everyone in connection with the crime.
