I kidnapped 2 children to pay my mother’s hospital bill – Suspect

One of the kidnap suspects, Otuu Emmanuel, involved in the abduction of two minors, Chinyere Igwe 8, and Ibiam Igwe 4, in Oso Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area, said he got involved in kidnapping the kids to enable him pay his mother’s hospital bills.

He made the confessional statement when he was paraded alongside his accomplice, Uchenna Ubani by the Ebonyi State Police.

The kidnapers, Otuu Emmanuel 21, Uchenna Abani 24, were suspected members of five gang armed robbers that broke into Mr. James Olughu Nkama resident on 15th June, and abducted two of his children Chinyere Igwe 8years, and Ibiam Igwe 4years.

ASP Odah Loveth, PPRO disclosed this to journalist during a recent parade of criminals in the state.

According to her, the kidnappers did not only kidnap the minors but also destroyed properties, killed Joseph Olughu Nkama, who is 104 years old.

“On that faithful day, 15th June 2018, at about 002hrs, a gang of five armed robbers invaded the residence of Mr. James Olughu Nkama at Oso Edda, Afikpo South L.G.A of Ebonyi State and shot sporadically in the air, damaged all alumaco windows, ceiling and gathered all electronics within the household at the centre of the seating room and set them ablaze.

“The hoodlums also attacked and killed one Joseph Olughu Nkama age 104 years, father to Mr. James Olughu Nkama and robbed him the cash sum of Seventy Thousand Naira, (N70,000.00).

“The kidnappers gained entrance into the house of James Nkama, kidnapped one chinyere igwe, age 8 years and little Ibiam Igwe age 4years to unknown destination.

“The armed bandits tied the minors, blindfolded them and kept hostage at their hideout and was demanding five million Naira ransom from the victims family.

While negotiations was still on, on the 01 July 2018, intelligent led investigation took operatives of Anti- kidnapping Squad (AK) to a community in Afikpo North L.G.A of the state where the first suspect Otu Emmanuel age 21yrs, was traced and arrested and he has made useful statement to the police.

“On 02 July 2018, a combined team of both Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and Kidnapping Squard (AK) stormed the kidnappers den in a thick forest along Amangwu road Afikpo south to locate the victims and other members of their gang and one Uchenna Abani age 24 was arrested while three others escaped.”

She maintained that effort is on top gear to arrest fleeing suspects.

In an interview with the suspects, Otuu Emmanuel said he was an informant and he got involved because he needed money to pay off his mother’s hospital bill while Uchenna Abani was in charge of the children well being.

But Uchenna Abani in his denied knowledge of the kidnap, but admitted he knew the leader of the gang, Emeka.

Also paraded was one Chukwu Christian aged 38 who was arrested on 1st July within mechanic site axis by the SARS operatives for unlawful possession of fire arm.