The chairman of the Ivo Local Government Area in Ebonyi State, Mr Emmanuel Ajah, has confirmed the arrest of eight kidnappers involved in the murder of Emmanuel Igwe, a staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The crime took place along the Ishiagu-Mpu road last Sunday.
The kidnappers had previously abducted the wife of the victim and killed the father of Ohanaeze youth leader, Ajah Okeafor, who was harvesting yams on his farmland.
Speaking to reporters in the state capital, Abakaliki, Ajah revealed that Igwe’s wife was rescued unharmed after paying a ransom to the kidnappers. The successful operation was a result of the collaborative efforts of security agencies.
“The kidnappers who killed the INEC staff on Sunday and abducted his wife, while also butchering the father of Ohaneze youth leader, Ajah Okeafor, have been apprehended,” Ajah stated.
Ajah further disclosed that the kidnappers were in the company of Fulani herdsmen and some individuals from the Lonkpanta community. They were tracked down once the ransom was paid.
“We didn’t sleep since the incident happened. The kidnappers demanded a ransom and we paid it. With the joint efforts of the security agencies and my men, we tracked them to their hideout and arrested eight of them. We are still searching for the remaining two, who are the masterminds behind the crime,” he explained.
The chairman went on to reveal that the apprehended suspects were responsible for several other kidnapping incidents in the council area. He vowed to mobilize security operatives to raid their hideout in order to prevent further occurrences.
Ajah urged the residents of the council to refrain from participating in criminal conspiracies, warning that those involved would not be spared. He called on the community to provide the police with any useful information that could lead to the arrest of the remaining fleeing suspects.
