- Nine suspected kidnappers held
A popular native doctor has been abducted by gunmen in Oba, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The victim, known as “Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki” was said to have been kidnapped Sunday night from his Triple P hotel room while two of his personal aides were shot dead.
The Nation gathered that the man, said to be among the strongest and richest witch doctors in the state, was abducted around 11:30pm.
A source close to the family said: “Two of his security men were shot dead. Where is Nwa Ocha and Odeshi? This is someone people flock to his Oba mansion for anti-bullet charms and other money rituals.”
Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, adding that the Commissioner, Aderemi Adeoye, had ordered a manhunt for the abductors.
Read Also: Gunmen abduct popular native doctor, kill aides in Anambra hotel
Relatedly, at least nine suspected kidnappers and robbery gang members have been arrested in various communities in Anambra East Local Government Area.
The suspects, said to be operating at Aguleri junction and Nsugbe axis, were apprehended by joint security operatives.
The Nation gathered that the criminal gang, camping in Anam, Anambra West, specialised in kidnapping rich men in Aguleri and environs.
A resident, who preferred anonymity, said one of the suspects was shot dead at the scene while others sustained varying degrees of injury. He said: “The nine-man suspected armed robbery and kidnap gang who operated in Aguleri junction and Nsugbe axis have been smashed by joint security task operatives comprising the Aguleri vigilante group, Anam vigilante and Police operatives.
“The gang members operated mainly along Aguleri junction and killed a vigilante member in Eziagulu Aguleri community last week. The aggrieved Aguleri vigilante group and police operatives joined forces with Anam vigilante in the operation.
“The criminal gang comprises indigenes of Nnewi, and Anam in Anambra State. Other suspects are indigenes of Ebonyi state and Tiv in Benue state.
“Four AK47 rifles, three SUV, human skeletons, pump actions, mobile phones and other property belonging to those kidnapped by members of the gang as well as cartridges were recovered from the suspects.
“One of the members of the vigilante group, an indigene of Anam sustained a bullet wound in the operation and has been moved to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.”
Police authorities were yet to react at the time of filing this report, but a senior officer said the suspects were currently at Otuocha Police station and would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Awka.