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Tag: Umuahia

  • Tension as army shoots three in Umuahia

    Tension as army shoots three in Umuahia

    The residents of Umuahia, Abia State capital are now living under tension following the shooting of three people on Akanu Ibiam Road also known as Bank Road in the capital city.

    The incident happened at about 9:30 am in the morning, and according to an eye witness who said they were shot close to the Diamond Bank near the Abia State Government House gate.

    The eye witness said that two of the three who were shot died instantly while the third was fatally injured.

    He said that the soldiers after their action took the corpses and the injured away in their truck.

    It was said that those who were shot were said to be wearing black which the army took to be IPOB uniform.

    The incident has sent panic to residents as shop owners quickly locked their shops, while most vehicles especially commercial operators also had to pack leaving passengers stranded.

    The Nation observed that most of the banks operating around that area have all closed shops, while at the First Bank on Akanu Ibiam road, customers were seen outside the bank premises and on inquiry one of the bank security said, “We have closed for the day”.

    At the Afaraukwu, the home of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, panic stricken residents have locked their shops and residential gates, while the entire area looked deserted.

    Reports from Aba, the commercial center of the state, say that there was shooting in the city resulting in the death of many people.

    It was also reported that the Ariaria Police Station in Aba was raised down, a report the PPRO, DSP Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed.

    As a proactive measure, the policemen barricaded the gate of the command headquarter diverting the traffic to one lane.

    The previous day, the city was calm but early Thursday morning troops poured into the capital city in trucks and vans/pick ups.

  • 10 tricyclists arraigned in court

    10 tricyclists arraigned in court

    Ten commercial tricycle operators who were allegedly arrested for assaulting and damaging operational vehicle of soldiers attached to 14Brigade at Isi Gate, Umuahia, Abia State capital were on Wednesday arraigned before chief magistrate Court I.

     The Commissioner of Police, Abia State, CP Adeleye Oyebade in a chat with our reporter said that the accused were granted bail of N400, 000 each with a surety in a like sum.

     According to the commissioner “They were arraigned on an eight counts charge of basically 1. Conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: Riotous Act 2. Conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: wounding 3. Conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor to wit: Malicious Damage to property.  4. Committed the offence of Partaking in a Riot. 5. Wounding each of the three Army officers. 6. Malicious Damage to a Hilux vehicle belonging to the Nigerian Army. They pleaded not guilty to each of the counts.”

     Oyebade said that the sureties until the time he was briefed about the matter were sorting out modalities of perfecting the bail conditions.

     The Commissioner of Police however enjoined Abians and visitors to go about their lawful duties, stressing that the police and other security agencies would not fold their arms to watch few unscrupulous agents disrupt the peace in the state.

    Recall that soldiers and commercial tricycle operators on Monday night clashed turning the city into chaos.

  • Tension in Abia as IPOB, soldiers clash

    Tension in Abia as IPOB, soldiers clash

     Umuahia, the Abia State capital, was Monday night thrown into unrest as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were reported to have engaged soldiers at the capital in a bloody battle.

     The incident which was said to have occurred at the popular Isi Gate spilled to other parts of the state capital, causing tension amongst residents and visitors alike.

     Sources in Umuahia, who spoke to The Nation said that the situation forced many business owners and traders within the city center to abruptly close their shops over fear of arrest or being caught up in the crisis which has literally shut the city down.

    While information about the report remains sketchy, a version of the incident has it that some soldiers stationed at Isi Gate were collecting money from commercial tricycle operators and when one of the operators refused giving them money , one of the soldiers slapped the commercial tricyclist.

    The situation degenerated into a fight when members of the union in solidarity with their member engaged the soldiers in a brawl.

     Another version of the incident claimed that the soldiers at a checkpoint around Isi Gate stopped a commercial tricycle operator and demanded that the driver should hand over to him the  Biafra and IPOB insigma in his tricycle, but the driver refused.

     The situation, it was learnt degenerated into a heated argument which attracted crowd and the soldiers on seeing that the area was already charged, shot into the air to scare people, but the crowd overpowered them and injured some of them in the process.

     At the time of filing this report, it was gathered security agencies have flooded the state capital with their men on the alert to prevent total breakdown of law in the city.

     A source at the Aba Area Command told our reporter that their men have been properly briefed to be on alert at some of the flash points in the commercial city and be vigilant of movement of persons who may wish to stir up the peace of the town.

     The Coordinator of IPOB in the State, Mr. Ikechukwu Ugwuoha said that he was yet to be properly briefed about the incident.

     But a member of IPOB who would not want his name in print told our reporter that the soldiers shot at and injured some of the people who had remained peaceful and were appealing to the soldiers to release the tricyclist to go about his business since they couldn’t find anything incriminating on him.

    The 14Brigade Ohafia Public Relations Officer, Major Oyegoke Gbadamosi disclosed that some of soldiers were injured and were in an undisclosed hospital where they were receiving medical attention.

    He denied that  the soldiers fueled  the crisis, alleging that their operational vehicle was damaged by the crowd.

     Gbadamosi who said he was yet to get the full information to the incident, promised to get back to the reporter as soon as he is briefed on the matter and gets  clearance from his boss (Brigade Commander).

     In a text message sent to our reporter, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Adeleye Oyebade said “We are on top of the situation. We will contain the situation. There is no cause for alarm. All hands are on deck to co continually sustain the peaceful atmosphere we have labouredly tirelessly to achieve so far in the state.”

  • Quit notice: Northern leaders back unity

    Quit notice: Northern leaders back unity

    Northern traditional leaders in the Southeast and Southsouth regions of the nation gathered in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, to distance  themselves from the quit notice given to the Igbo in the North months ago.

    But more than washing their hands off the offensive directive, the leaders also pointed out that they were for a united Nigeria.

    They cited intermarriages among the ethnic groups as a major reason why no one should seek to divide the country.

    The leaders said there was no need for hate speech and that Nigerians should live peacefully with one another.

    The northern traditional rulers said that they have lived most of their lives in the Southeast and Southsouth.

    Some of them also said that their mothers were either from the Southeast or Southsouth, adding that they could not stand and watch some persons who represent the interest of few deny them the love and happiness they have enjoyed with their maternal relations.

    Danladi, while addressing newsmen, said that the peace and unity of Nigeria is not negotiable, stressing that the traditional rulers and their subjects would not be part of any call against the unity of the country.

    Danladi said, “We are saying that we are not in support of what is happening in this country today. Our stand is that we want peace in Nigeria. Irrespective of your tribe, ethnicity and religion, we are one.

    “For instance, most of these Sarikis in south east were born here. Some of us, our mothers are from here, their wives are from here. Likewise some of our brothers from south east who are in the north, most of them were born there and also married to people from there. Some have stayed there for close to 60 years. Where will they go? Like me now, if you ask me to go, where do I go to? All my life I’ve lived it here. We want this country to be united as it was before us.

    “Number one thing, I must not fail to say is that, the quit notice our brothers gave to non-northerners in the North is wrong. We are totally condemning it and ask them to reconsider that they have people down here in the Southeast too. The hate speeches coming from both sides, we condemn it and ask our traditional rulers here in Southeast and South-south to always liaise with the government of their states. We are appealing to the 11 state governments of the Southeast and Southsouth to also work with their Sariki because they are the leaders and representatives of our people here.

    “For instance, you all know the role I’ve been playing on issues concerning herdsmen. There was a time such issues were high here in Abia, but as you can see, it’s calm now. That’s how these Sariki can also help in states where they dwell.

    “We came out here, you should know we must have done some works. We are not children. We have spoken to them and we are still begging them. We know we have elders and Emirs that can talk to them. In the North, one Emir can do what 100 persons cannot do. Unity of this country first. I repeat, we are not in support of the quit notice that was issued to non-northerners.”

    He said that they were happy that President Muhammadu Buhari returned to the country healthier than he left.

  • Four in critical condition after a ghastly motor accident

    Four in critical condition after a ghastly motor accident

    Four passengers of commercial tricycles involved in an auto accident that occurred along Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Highway were reported to have been battling for survival at an undisclosed hospital in Umuahia, Abia State capital.

    Our reporter who visited the scene of the accident reports that passengers of the Uyo Based Commercial Bus said to have been heading for Lagos were unhurt. They were said to have been evacuated to the Abia Command Headquarters of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) for safety as at the time of filing the report.

    The accident which occurred directly opposite Ehimiri Police Station, eyewitnesses told The Nation occurred at about 11am.

    According to an eyewitness who gave his name as Clinton, the driver of the commercial bus was said to have dosed off on the steering while he was descending the hill on a high speed.

    Clinton stated that the driver on realizing what has happened ran into the Zone 9 Police headquarters located not too far from the scene of the accident in an apparent move to escape the wrath of angry mob.

    “The driver rammed into the two commercial tricycles as he veered off his lane while descending the hill on a high speed. You know that the road is narrow and before the driver could realize his mistake, the deed was already done.

    “Some of the passengers said that they noticed that the driver on their way would intermittently close his eyes, showing that the driver may not have slept well before embarking on such a journey and from the look of things, it seems like the bus was heading towards Lagos.

    “The victims were badly injured. As you can see, there are traces of blood here which is an indication that they sustained serious injuries. But the second tricycle driver and its passengers sustained minor injuries. Usually, when this type of accident happens the passengers are rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia but I can’t say for sure where they (passengers) were taken for medical treatment.”

    Attempts to speak with the Public Relations Officer of the FRSC, Abia Command  over the matter failed.

    Sympathizers at the scene however blamed the accident to lack of proper monitoring on the part of transport companies who were concerned about making more money than the safety of their passengers as many of the transport owners would subject their drivers to stress and over labor in a bid to outsmart other transport owners.

     

    They called for stiffer penalties on transport companies and their drivers if found culpable of taking driving precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their passengers and other road users.

     

  • Abia police parade suspects

    Abia police parade suspects

    Abia State police command has paraded a crop of suspected hoodlums for allegedly committing various criminal offences in Aba, the state’s commercial heartbeat, and other parts of the state.

    The hoodlums, The Nation learnt, were reportedly responsible for heinous crimes including kidnapping, armed robbery and car theft, among others, in different parts of the state.

    The State Commissioner of Police Adeleye Oyebade in a briefing at Umuahia, the state capital, lauded his men for rising to the challenge of insecurity in Aba, Umuahia and other parts of the state.

    Oyebade said some of the suspects were arrested while carrying out the act, others before or after the act, but all nabbed using a well-planned information gathering method.

    He lauded the synergy between the police and other security agencies in the state, stressing that the era when criminal came and operated in the state freely and undetected is gone. He said it is the desire of the police and sister agencies in the state to stop crime before it happens.

    The police said some of the suspects undergoing interrogation would be arraigned in court as soon as investigations into their matter were concluded.

    Oyebade said, “On 23/07/2017 at about 0010hrs, information was received that there was a corpse later identified simply as Prince ‘m’ of Ngwa and works in a bakery at Garki (Catlle Market) Lokpanta reasonably suspected to have been stabbed to death by his fellow cult members. Sequel to the information, the Divisional Crime Officer Isuochi raced to the scene with a team of detectives, removed the corpse to the mortuary and commenced investigation into the incident. The trio of Samuel Chukwuemeka, Abdulazeez Mukaila and Obisike Ekezie all males and members of ‘Red Barger’ confraternity were arrested. The suspects have confessed to the crime, search was conducted in their houses during which the following items were recovered: three red caps, four bangles, two daggers, one Samsung TV with its remote control, one Sony Speaker, one DSTV Decoder and a pair of canvas. The dagger used in the act has been identified in the two recovered. Effort is intensified toward the arrest of other fleeing members of the cult group.

    “On 27/07/2017 at about 1100hrs, responding to a distress call on the presence of strange faces in Nkwoudara Ovungwu, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, patrol team attached to Omoba Division in raced to the scene and with the collaborative efforts of the Vigilante men in the Community, arrested the following four suspects: Chisom Chimezie 19yrs, Ogbonna Onyeka 22yrs, Kingsley Onyemuru 20yrs and Chinonso Madugba 18yrs all males of Osisioma LGA. Search on them resulted in the recovery of the following items: One locally made pistol with two live cartridges, two jack knives, four ATM cards, Wallet containing sum of N9,090.00 and six ID cards. One Uchenna Ikpendu ‘m’ of Ibeku- Ngwa in Osisioma LGA has identified the suspects as hoodlums that snatched from him on gun-point, his brand new Qlink 150 Motorcycle on 23/07/2017 at about 1730hrs in Umuehim Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South. Discreet investigation is in progress.

    “On 27/07/2017 at about 0500hrs, the operatives attached to the Command’s Dragon Squad Aba acting on a tip off, arrested the duo of Samuel Akoma and Kenneth Ananaba both males in an Hotel room at Aba where the hoodlums lodged after collecting ransom to release their hostage. Two vehicles, including that of the released hostage were recovered.

    “On 24/07/2017 at about 2205hrs along Milverton Area Aba, patrol team attached to Central Police Station Aba while on routine patrol, intercepted one Obasi Chibuike ‘m’ putting on Police bullet proof jacket and extorting motorists. On sighting the patrol team, suspect fled the scene but was over-powered by the team. The following items were recovered from him during search: three live cartridges, one bullet proof, one jack knife and an International Passport. The suspect has however, confessed to being a member of four man robbery gang terrorizing Aba and its environs. Effort is put in place toward arresting the other members of his gang as well as recovering their weapons.

    “On 22/07/2017 at about 1305hrs, PMF 55 men on nipping point duty at Owerrinta acting on a tip off, intercepted a 14 seating Mitsubishi L300 bus with reg. no.SB 639 WER painted white and green and arrested the duo of Chinemere Amamba aged 39yrs and Nnamdi Monday both males of Nmelele Isiala Ngwa South. The suspects abducted one Ijeoma Okereke ‘f’ of Imo State University Owerri at about 1200hrs along Emekuku junction, Douglas road Owerri.

    “On 27/07/2017 at about 0645hrs, acting on a tip off, detectives attached to Abiriba Division arrested the duo of Ifendi Eke and Nwokocha Ndukwe both males of Abiriba who are behind series of house burglary and stealing in the Community. The suspects confessed to the allegation and led the investigation to the arrest of one Arua Uta Agbai ‘m’ of Abiriba that aids them in disposing their loots. Items so far recovered are bags, Electronics, empty carton of plasma TV carted away from the house of a Cameroun based business man, Hon. Agbara Ashiegbu. Investigation is in progress toward recovering more stolen items.

    “On 25/07/2017 at about 0015hrs, a distress call was received from one AzubuikeEjikeme ‘m’ of No. 24 Okigwe Road Aba that his residence was under siege by hoodlums. In response to the call, team of patrol men attached to Central Police Station Aba raced to the scene and laid ambush against the hoodlums during which one Frank Egure ‘m’ of no fixed address was arrested at about 0050hrs with Generating sets and motor tyres. On interrogation, the suspect confessed to have burgled an apartment in the complainant’s residence from where, he carted the recovered items. Similarly, another patrol team attached to the same Division had on 20/07/2017 at about 0015hrs arrested the duo of Joseph Patrick and Chinedu Elewechi both males of no fixed address in their area of responsibility following a distress call received from one Amarachi Patrick ‘f’ of No. 142 Jubilee road Aba on 19/07/2017. Items recovered from the suspects are: One Elemax SH 2900 DX Generator, two Century Stabilizers, one Plasma TV, one truck and assorted drinks. Suspects will be charged to Court as soon as investigation is concluded.

    “On 21/07/2017 at about 2105hrs, a distress call was received from one Ezinne Okorie ‘f’ of No. 132 Terryvin road Aba that while she was making call from her Tecno Y2 GSM phone valued #500,000.00, a group of four armed men accosted her, pointed guns at her and robbed her of the phone. In a swift response, patrol team attached to Central Police Station Aba raced to the scene where the duo of Ugochukwu Ugwumba 22yrs and Goodnews Uwem 18yrs both males were arrested with a machete while others fled with their guns. The suspects confessed to the crime and are leading the investigation toward arresting their cohorts cum recovering the phone.

     

  • Kalu: Witness writes letter in court to prove handwriting

    Kalu: Witness writes letter in court to prove handwriting

    The cashier at the Abia State Government House, Umuahia during the tenure of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, Mr. Romanus Madu, Tuesday wrote a letter in court to prove his handwriting and signature.

    Madu wrote the letter in facie curiae (in the presence of the court) at the resumed trial of Kalu for an alleged N2.9bn fraud before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Kalu, Udeh Jones Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited were arraigned last October 31 before Justice Mohammed Idris by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 34-count charge of N3.2 billion fraud.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    Madu, who is now Permanent Secretary in Abia State, is the EFCC’s fourth witness in its bid to prove its charge against the defendants.

    On June 5, 2017 Madu told the court that he did not author a statement requesting for the sum of N30.8 million bank draft in the course of his duties as a cashier in the Abia State House in 2005.

    He identified his name on the document, but said he was not the person that wrote it, adding that his signature was absent.

    At the resumption of proceedings Tuesday, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs asked the witness to write a request for a bank draft from a fictional bank.

    The letter was as follows: “Sir, kindly issue me with two bank drafts for, 1. Twenty One Million Naira in favour of Inland Bank Plc. 2. Ten Million Naira in favour of Inland Bank both payable at Apapa. Thanks in anticipation of your co-operation. Signed R. K. Madu.”

    Madu complied and the letter was accepted as evidence by the court.

    Earlier, the court upheld the defendants’ argument on June 5, that Madu could not be compelled to give opinion evidence on signatures of persons he claimed to not know.

    Jacobs had contended that the witness was “highly qualified” to give evidence on the statement he allegedly wrote and signed.

    According to him, evidence with regard to handwriting is not the exclusive preserve of an expert.

    “The law permits the court to take evidence from the person whose handwriting was said to have been forged or the person who is familiar with the handwriting”, Jacobs said.

    This was opposed by Kalu’s lawyer, Chief Awa Kalu (SAN) and counsel to the third defendant (Slok Nigeria Ltd), K. C. Nwofo (SAN), on the grounds, among others, that the practice was contrary to the provisions of the Evidence Act.

    In his ruling, the Justice Idris held that the sole question was as to whether a witness can give opinion evidence.

    Citing the provisions of sections 67, 68 and 70 of the Evidence Act, the court held that expert opinion of handwriting is an integral part of the law governing evidence.

    He said: “Although the court can compare handwritings, same can only arise when in issue.

    “In all, I find that PW4 cannot give opinion evidence as to the document in question.

    “Where the issue is whether the handwriting is for PW4 or not, it is my opinion that the witness cannot give evidence on that.

    “The witness cannot compare handwriting on two different documents, and then give opinion on same.

    “In the light of the above, the objection raised by learned counsel is hereby sustained,”

    In continuation of his evidence-in-chief, the witness was shown exhibit B6 which is an account statement of Abia State government house, and asked to comment on a transaction of August 22, 2005.

    The witness told the court that on the said date, he made cash withdrawals of N15 million and N25million, adding that the sums were handed over to his boss, Udeogo.

    During cross-examination by defence counsel, the witness told the court that he joined the civil service in 1981, adding that his appointment was civil and not political.

    Defence counsel then asked: “You joined the civil service in 1981 and ought to have retired in 2016, what happened?”

    In response, the witness told the court that he was granted an extension of office by the governor of Abia State.

    Again, defence counsel asked: “When you were a cashier in the payroll, did your schedule of duty include cashing cheques?”

    “No,” the witness replied

    Justice Idris adjourned till today (June 7) for continuation of trial.

     

  • IPOB stay at home order: Schools remain closed

    IPOB stay at home order: Schools remain closed

    The stay at home directive given by both Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) could be said to be a partial success in Umuahia and its environs.
    The Nation in Umuahia after going round the city saw most of the schools closed as the classrooms were under lock and key while the premises were totally empty as there were no pupils in the school.
    One of the teachers who spoke with our reporter on condition of anonymity said that she came to school to meet the school devoid of any pupil and that she was just hanging around to see if any of her colleagues will come around.
    When asked the reason behind the school being empty she said, “I am sure it is because of the directive by IPOB that people should stay at home in remembrance of the heroes and heroines who lost their lives during the civil war”.
    “I support the directive as those who were killed during the war and others without arms who were killed by some security operatives in different cities across the South East zone while demonstrating for Biafra should be remembered”.
    “We need to remember them as most of them were bread winners of their different homes and families, those they left behind should be allowed to stay at home today to mourn them and also remember them in their prayers”.
    However the banks in the state capital were close for business as people and customers were seen trooping in and out from the banks looking dejected while the ATM in most of the banks were crowded.
    At one of the banks gate was open while the entrance into the banking hall was closed when asked one of the security men at the bank compound said that they have to close the bank to avoid any unforeseen problems.
    He said that if the bank is closed for one day that it will not make them loose any thing, “But if we open and there is a problem we would have lost a lot so it is better we remain closed for today and save cost”.
    Meanwhile security was beefed up in the state capital as policemen, Civil Defence and other arms of security agencies were seen at every corner while the police helicopter was seen hovering round the city and Aba.
  • One feared dead as herdsmen, farmers clash in Abia

    One feared dead as herdsmen, farmers clash in Abia

    There has been a clash between men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen and the people of Umuobasikwu, Ozuitem community in Bende local government area of Abia state leading to one person believed to have been killed.

    The clash is also said to have led to the damaging of crops and farm lands worth several millions of naira in the incident said to have taken place late Sunday evening which the Commissioner of Police (CP) Leye Oyebade has confirmed.

    Speaking with newsmen late on Monday in Umuahia, Oyebade said that the situation has been brought under control as mobile policemen have been drafted to the community to secure life and property as well as prevent the situation from, getting out of hands.

    Oyebade who personally visited the community to ascertain the level of damages appealed to both parties to sheath their sword and give peace a chance, stressing that no meaningful peace would come out if the situation is not brought under control.

    He said that a large committee comprising representatives of the herdsmen, Hausa/ Fulani community, the local community, the state government, security agencies and other stakeholders had been constituted to resolve the face- off.

    The Abia police boss said that the peace committee would also fashion out ways to bring about a permanent solution to the frequent clashes between herdsmen and their host communities in the area.

    He said that negotiations were also going on between both parties on possible compensation on the damages incurred during the fracas with the view to bringing lasting peace between the community and the herdsmen.

    In his reaction, while lending his voice to the CP, the Chairman of Methi- Allah in the state, Hassan Buba appealed to herdsmen to embrace peace and live in harmony with their host communities.

    Similarly, the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Akarilo appealed to the aggrieved youths of the community to sheath their sword and give peace a chance, saying that there is no need for any bloodshed.

    The Deputy Speaker, Ndukwe who said he had also visited the community sued for peace, assuring that efforts were being made to forestall further occurrences and called on both parties to give peace a chance.

    Yaro also sued for peace, saying that Abia has been hospitable to Hausa/ Fulani community in the area and wondered why there should be a constant clash between the herdsmen and the host communities in the state when there is no need for such.

    The Nation recalls that clashes between herdsmen and farmers have been a recurring decimal in Ozuitem as well as some other communities in Abia North like Abam community in Ohafia local government area which has led to the loss of lives and property worth several millions of naira the recent times.

    The meeting was attended by the Chairman of Hausa/Fulani community in Abia, Alhaji Danladi Yaro; Deputy Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe; the traditional ruler of Umuobasiukwu community, HRM Eze John Onuoha Akaliro, the Chairman of Methi- Allah in the state, Hassan Buba; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Captain Agwu Awa (rtd).

  • Abia Police arrest suspected kidnappers, robbers

    Abia Police arrest suspected kidnappers, robbers

    Abia state police command has arrested a suspected kidnapper, armed robber and a well-known receiver of stolen vehicles and other stolen items who has been under the surveillance of the command for several months.
    The command had in October last year smashed a six-man gang of suspected armed robbers who has snatched two Toyota Corolla cars from their owners at gunpoint at different locations in Umuahia.
    Speaking in Umuahia while parading some suspected armed robbers, the Commissioner Police (CP) Leye Oyebade said that since the command smashed the syndicate that they have been after the receiver of the stolen vehicles.
    Oyebade said that with the synergy of other security agencies in the state that they were able to arrest Ikechukwu Chukwuma John with the help of the Akwa Ibom state police command at Uyo in connection with the kidnapping of Celestine Ositadinma Nwankwo.
    The Abia CP said that the suspect was arrested on the 3rd of January this year with the Toyota Highlander of one of the victims he had kidnapped and handed over to them as they have been looking for him since October last year.
    He said that the command with the men of the Aba division arrested Udochukwu Victor Onyende aged 29 years of 50 Nwama street off Ohanku road in Aba, “The suspect with others now at large had kidnapped Chuks Nnanni a younger brother of Hon Ossy Prestige”.
    Oyebade said that the operatives of the Anti-Robbery Umuahia who were acting on information arrested one Chijioke Emeka of Amuri Umuaka in Njaba of Imo state, “The suspect had in the company of his gang robbed one George Agu of Agbama Housing estate of his Toyota Highlander with the number JJJ 71 DQ”.
    He said that the command in conjunction with the military arrested Uchechukwu Ukaegbu aged 22 years of 17 Ugorji street Aba and handed him over to the police in Aba.
    The CP said: “Items recovered from the suspect include one locally made revolver pistol, one .9mm ammunition, one locally made single barrel shortgun, 38 AK-47 rifle ammunition, 16 live cartridges and 9 SIM cards of various networks.
    “Other suspected armed robberies paraded include Prince Eze aged 29 years and Jonah Ikechukwu aged 23 years the suspects are notorious criminals that have been robbing and breaking of homes and stores along St Michael road Aba.
    “Items recovered from them include a Samsung tablet phone and one sim card which belongs to Mrs Eberechi Eze of St Michael roadAba which was robbed from her at gun point.”
    Oyebade said that the command with officers and men of Ndiegoro division Aba arrested Chima Sunday 20, Enanna Isaac 22 and Ogechukwu John 21 who were in an unregistered tricycle and when searched a locally made pistol was recovered from them.
    The CP said that the command also arrested one Samuel Okechukwu 28 who impersonates as a police sergeant who in company of other now at large snatched a Datsun mini bus with the number APR 244 YH from the owner , James Eke along Pound road.
    In an interview, Eke said that the suspect with his gang arrested him claiming to be police men and was taking him to the Aba central police station but on the way they tried to snatch his vehicle which he resisted, “In their bid to escape he caught the suspect”.