Police arrest five suspected kidnappers in Imo

The Imo police command says it has arrested five suspected kidnappers between Avu and Ihiagwa in Owerri-west LGA of the state.

In a statement on Monday, Henry Okoye, the command’s spokesman, said the suspects were arrested from their hideout by the command’s tactical unit led by Aboki Danjuma, the state’s commissioner of police, with the help of local hunters.

He listed the suspects to include Muazu Awuta, 30; Abdullahi Abubakar, 32; Ezeru Sabo, 25; Saddam Suleiman, 27; and Bashir Yahaya, 28.

Okoye added that the command would conduct DNA tests to ascertain the identities of the corpses suspected to be kidnap victims.

Okoye said the suspects are currently undergoing investigation and have so far provided useful information to the police that will lead to the arrest of other syndicates at large.

“On combing the forest, two decomposing unidentified corpses suspected to be kidnapped victims and other items like telephones, wristwatches, shoes, and slippers were recovered,” Okoye said.

“The command intends to carry out further DNA confirmatory test to ascertain the identity of the deceased.

“Five operational motorcycles of the suspected kidnappers were also recovered.

“Intense operation is still ongoing in the forest and other identified black spots with the aim of stamping out all forms of crime and criminality in the state.”