Police in Ebonyi State Tuesday arrested 11 suspects including a kidnap kingpin operating within Ebonyi and Abia states, Ogonna Alioka.
Alioka popularly known as “Pilot,” according to the police, was allegedly among the gang of kidnappers involved in the abduction and killing of a 60-year-old woman, Mrs. Catherine Okorie Chukwu.
The late Mrs Okorie, an indigene of Ishiagu community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was on January 18, 2017, abducted in her residence.
Unfortunately, she was later killed and buried by her assailants in a shallow grave in a forest bordering Lokpanta in Umunneochi and Awgu Local Government Area of Abia and Enugu States, for recognizing one of the kidnappers.
Parading the suspects at Police Headquarters Abakaliki, the state Police spokesman, Mr. Jude Madu, said though some members of the gang had been arrested and arraigned in court, Alioka, who allegedly drove the vehicle used in the operation had been on the run until few days ago when he was arrested in Abia State.
The suspect, Alioka, in a chat with reporters confessed to the crimes.
He alleged that the woman was killed while fleeing from them in the bush, pointing out that he engaged the kingpin in a fight when the incident occurred.
He said that after killing the woman he ran away to avoid being arrested, pointing out that the abduction of the woman was masterminded by a politician in Ishiagu (names withheld).
Other suspects, including one Chukwudi Nwezaku, Otu Okpara, Eze Chima, Chiadikaobi Ani, Uchechukwu Aniewo and Ozomena Obasi were arrested in connection with armed robbery attacks, electricity cable vandalism, buying of stolen cars and unlawful possession of firearms.
The State Police spokesman stated that Police also arrested one Gideon Omaka who was released from prison custody in March this year for allegedly robbing and killing one Eze Idam Ogbonnaya in Amasiri, Afikpo North Local Government Area.
The group is believed to be responsible for various armed robbery and other criminal activities recorded recently in the area. Omaka’s arrest came after angry youths in the community attacked and buried alive his brother Chukwudi Omaka who was also part of the robbery gang who robbed Ogbonnaya.
Eyewitness and resident of the community, Emmanuel Udu, told Vanguard that Omaka was also among robbers who robbed one cold room known as Etuelughu which belongs to Oko Udu Monday and another businessman identified simply as David who has a provision store in the area.
“This handsome boy was beaten thoroughly; despite that, he refused to call the names of his members. He was later buried alive by Amasiri youths”.
Items recovered from the suspects included five vehicles, one tricycle, electronics, guns and live cartridges.
According to Madu, all the suspects would soon be arraigned in court upon completion of investigation.