The police in Imo State on Monday, August 29 arrested a 28-year-old man, Amarachi Amadi, described as a serial kidnapper at the camp of his gang located in the forest of Ohuba Village, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state.
The police also rounded up two other members of his gang, Oriaku Lucky 26 of Umugologo, Ohuba Village and 21-year-old girl, Peace Victor Sunday of Unah Eket in Akwa Ibom State.
The spokesman of the police in the state, CSP Michael Abattam who disclosed this in a statement said the gang opened fire upon sighting the cops in their camp.
According to him, a gun duel which ensued resulted in Amadi sustaining bullet wound and other members of his gang taking to their heels with bullet wounds.
Abattam further disclosed that the cops recovered weapons from the camp of the gangsters.
He listed the recovered weapons to include one cut-to-size single barrel gun with six rounds of live cartridges;
one locally made double barrel short gun and one Bus Imo with registration number WER 04 XB.
Others are one dagger;
one ATM card.; substances suspected to be Indian Hemp;
Airtel Recharge Cards;
assorted charms; ropes used in tying their victims and
three cell phones.
The police spokesman equally disclosed that on combing the forest, the cops saw a kidnapped victim, Uzondu Ikeazuta ‘m’ aged 45 years and native of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, on chain.
He said Ikeazuta who was freed unhurt disclosed that he was seized by a five-member kidnap gang on Sunday, August 28 at Imo Specialist Hospital junction Umuguma in Owerri West Local Government Area.
He quoted the victim as saying that while in the custody of his captors, he was subjected to serious torture even as his captors threatened to cut off his genitals for ritual purposes.
According to him, the victim also told the police that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N1.7million. from his family before he could be let off the hook.
Abattam equally disclosed that Amadi confessed being the leader of a kidnap syndicate which carried out several kidnaps.
He added that the serial kidnapper revealed that his gang beheaded one of their victims, Justice Ikechukwu Francis Okoroji on January 5, 2020
