Operatives from the Ebonyi State Police Command have successfully neutralized three suspected killers of an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff member and rescued his kidnapped wife. Additionally, they have apprehended at least eight members of the criminal gang responsible for the act.
According to previous reports by SaharaReporters, Emmanuel Igwe, an Assistant Electoral Officer (AEO) of INEC, was tragically killed by suspected kidnappers on Sunday, June 18, along the Ishiagu/Mpu road. His wife was subsequently abducted.
Mr. Emmanuel Aja, the Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, confirmed to journalists in Abakaliki that three of the suspects had been arrested and killed at their hideout in Lokpanta, Umunochi Council Area of Abia state on Sunday.
Aja commended the courageous and gallant efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, vowing that the council would spare no effort in eradicating criminals from the area. He announced that a manhunt was underway to apprehend the remaining suspects, assuring that all of them would face justice.
He stated, “The successful operation carried out by the Special Squad of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ebonyi Command of the Nigeria Police has resulted in the arrest of at least eight suspected killers of the INEC staff in Ebonyi, with three of the suspects neutralized during the operation. The apprehended killers, who are suspected kidnappers and also abducted the victim’s wife, were captured in a forest hideout in Lokpanta, Abia state, on Saturday, June 24.”
Efforts are now being intensified to capture the leader of the criminal gang, known as ‘Alhaji,’ who managed to escape during the gun duel with the police. The suspected kidnappers are believed to be responsible for various abductions and criminal activities within the council area, according to Aja.
Expressing his administration’s commitment to ridding the local government area of crime, Aja urged residents to provide useful information to the police regarding the activities of criminals in their respective areas. He emphasized that security is everyone’s responsibility and encouraged people to report any suspicious incidents, stating, “When you see something, say something. By doing so, we will be several steps ahead of the criminals.”
As of now, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Ebonyi Command, has not issued a statement regarding the arrest and killing of the suspects.
