An Apostolic Church Pastor, Izuchukwu Anoloba and 12 others have been arrested in Imo State for the kidnapping of a Catholic priest and 13 other persons.
Reverend Father Fidelis Ekemgba, in charge of St. Peter’s Catholic Parish, Umunohu Amakohia in Ihitte Uboma LGA of the state, was allegedly kidnapped by Anoloba of the Apostolic Church of Christ in Eziama Osuama, in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area (LGA).
At the Police Command headquarters in Owerri, Imo’s Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Huissani, paraded the suspects alongside 16 others arrested for various crimes.
“It will interest you all to know that a total of 29 suspects were arrested in the commission of different crimes, especially kidnapping and armed robbery while a total of 13 firearms, 89 ammunition of different calibres, and nine vehicles of different types were recovered,” he told reporters during the briefing on Thursday.
Other suspects named by Huissani include Chukwuma Onwe, Chika Ifeoma, Chidinka Oduenyi, Uchenna Duru, Onyebuchi Emeka, Augustine Azubike, Kingsley Obumunonye, Divine Ugochukwu, Chibueze Iwuoha, Godwin Ogu, Richard Nworie, and Monday Oyama.
He also named the other victims as Chinyeaka Ekendu, Uche Obieche, Kingsley Okoro, Chuks Agbugba, Ekwe Lambert, Cosmos Adumekwe, Ikenna Duru, Ujunwa Nlemchukwu, Nwabueze Ashama, Judith Nwachukwu, Callista Ahmed, Anthony Uchenna, and Lilan Egwurugwu.
“You will observe that recently, the state has enjoyed relative peace owing to the crime-fighting strategy put in place by the command and in keeping with the promise to rid Imo State of crime and criminality during my maiden press briefing,” the police commissioner added.
“The command under my watch is enjoying a robust partnership and synergy with other security agencies and community stakeholders in the state. However, we have refused to rest on our oars as the reward of hard work they say, is more hard work.
“As we all know, the Christmas season is at hand and there are tendencies for increase in crime. To this end, we shall leave no stone unturned in our efforts to rid Imo State of crime and criminality.”
According to him, the police have put in place adequate strategies to monitor criminal activity during the holiday season and afterwards.
