*Arrest Man Levying Communities For Burials
THE Anambra State Police Command has rescued a victim after his kidnappers had demanded a N10million ransom.
Its spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga (SP), who disclosed this in a press statement, said the victim was rescued seven hours after he was kidnapped following a swift and coordinated operation by joint operatives of the Command’s tactical team.
Ikenga stated that the operation was carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, September 30, and the victim was rescued in the Oba/Ojoto axis, seven hours after being kidnapped by gunmen at Umuru Village, Nnobi.
According to him: “The criminal elements had earlier demanded a ransom of N10million from the victim, but the joint Command tactical team, on an intelligence-led operation, were immediately deployed to the location for aggressive and extensive combing.
“Under the pressure of the advancing rescue operation, the kidnappers hastily released the victim and fled into nearby bushes. The victim was rescued unharmed, debriefed and has since been reunited with his family.
“Meanwhile, the operatives are currently working on some clues for the possible arrest of the fleeing hoodlums.”
In another develoment, operatives of the Command arrested one Bernard Odinchefu, a 62-year-old male suspect and alleged informant of a secessionist group, said to be anchoring a major extortion network operating in parts of the Ihiala Local Council of the state.
Ikenga said the suspect imposed illegal levies on traders in Isseke and Orsumoghu communities, collecting at least N10,000 monthly from each trader.
He was also accused of demanding at least N100,000 from families before they could undertake burial ceremonies or related events.
The Command’s spokesman stated that operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu, on Wednesday, October 1, arrested Odinchefu, believed to be linked to a wider extortion network.
He explained: “Preliminary information revealed that the suspect is in charge of illegal levies on traders in Isseke and Orsumoghu communities, collecting N10,000 and above monthly from each trader and extorting N100,000 and above from families conducting burial ceremonies before the occasion or any such related event takes place in the area.
“The illicit proceeds were allegedly remitted to his commander in a terrorist camp. The suspect is in custody, and further investigation is ongoing.
“To this end, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Ikioye Orutugu, assures residents of the Command’s continued commitment to dismantling criminal structures linked to insurgent groups.”
