A gang member said to be Vampire’s second-in-command, 26-year-old Obinna Elah, who hails from Orlu area of Imo State, was arrested in a joint operation carried out by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team and the state police command.
Four other members of the gang –
Arinze Abecheta 24, a native of Ohafia in the Isiala Mbano LGA; Chukwu Ebuka Ikeazota 23, an indigene of Ohohia in the Isiala Mbano LGA; Clifford Aheana, from Omu Awa village, Rivers State; and 24-year-old Samuel Ugochukwu from Ezisno village, in the Arochukwu LGA of Abia State – were also arrested.
A cache of arms and ammunition were reportedly recovered from the suspects.
It was learnt that the IRT and operatives of the Rivers State Police Command, led by ACP Abba Kyari, laid siege to the kidnappers’ hideout in Omu Awa Forest in the Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State in the early hours of Thursday.
The kidnappers, on sighting the police, reportedly opened fire, resulting in a gun duel, during which Vampire was killed and three of his members injured. Some policemen also sustained injuries.
A police source disclosed to Punch that the arrested suspects confessed to have carried out four kidnappings after the rescue of Vampire from the court.
He said, “The suspects confessed to have rescued Vampire from Imo High Court on January 27. They also confessed to have executed four successful kidnappings after the rescue of their gang leader. A police sergeant attached to IRT sustained multiple bullet injuries during the gun battle and has been admitted in a hospital.
“Three of the five arrested suspects sustained bullet injuries. Several AK-47 rifles and ammunition were recovered from the gang. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining gang members.”
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, confirmed the arrest of the suspects.
He said, “The ringleader was shot dead during the exchange of gunfire. Five members of his gang were arrested together with arms and ammunition. A combined team of the Inspector-General of Police special squad and operatives of the command engaged the gang.”A cache of arms and ammunition were reportedly recovered from the suspects.
It was learnt that the IRT and operatives of the Rivers State Police Command, led by ACP Abba Kyari, laid siege to the kidnappers’ hideout in Omu Awa Forest in the Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State in the early hours of Thursday.
The kidnappers, on sighting the police, reportedly opened fire, resulting in a gun duel, during which Vampire was killed and three of his members injured. Some policemen also sustained injuries.
A police source disclosed to Punch that the arrested suspects confessed to have carried out four kidnappings after the rescue of Vampire from the court.
He said, “The suspects confessed to have rescued Vampire from Imo High Court on January 27. They also confessed to have executed four successful kidnappings after the rescue of their gang leader. A police sergeant attached to IRT sustained multiple bullet injuries during the gun battle and has been admitted in a hospital.
“Three of the five arrested suspects sustained bullet injuries. Several AK-47 rifles and ammunition were recovered from the gang. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining gang members.”
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, confirmed the arrest of the suspects.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Moshood Jimoh, while briefing journalists on the operation, said the gang had carried out kidnap operations in several South-South and South-East states.
The police spokesperson said Vampire had confessed to the murder of his girlfriend, Sandra, and eight members of her family.
The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said the operations of the gang were being analysed to get insights to its reach and ensure the arrest of other fleeing members.
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