Lawrence Nwimo, Awka.
Police operatives in Anambra State have gunned down leader of a kidnap gang and arrested five other gang members in Anambra State.
Among the arrested criminals was a native doctor believed to be preparing charms for the suspected hoodlums causing havocs in the State.
Ikengaonline learnt that the suspected kidnap leader was killed when his gang’s effort to kidnap someone was resisted by gallant security operatives on Sunday.
Eyewitnesses account said the assailants, numbering about four, had stormed the Oko community in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of the state where they planned to execute the kidnap.
According to the source, the hoodlums came in a Sport Utility Vehicle, but the timely intervention of the security operatives led to the killing of one of them while the others escaped.
“They came through Nanka road and heading towards Ekwulobia before they were repelled by security agents,” an eyewitness said.
“Their operational vehicle belonging to the hoodlums were was also recovered by the security men.”
The lifeless body of the dead was seen in a video with the body having many objects suspected to be charms.
Confirming the development, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said that the operation followed the information received by the command in the afternoon.
“Based on intelligence gathered which indicate the location of a kidnap victim in Neni in Anambra LGA, Police operatives working with the vigilante stormed the location on Sunday 5th June , 2022 rescued the victim and arrested one Emeka who was suspected of complicity in the crime.
” Upon interrogation, he confessed to the crime and led detectives to the hideout of his gang in Oba in Idemili South LGA where detectives engaged the gangsters in a shootout.
“The gang leader, one Chinedu Ajogu known as Sampolo was gunned down and five others including their doctor were arrested for interrogation and prosecution.”
” The following items were recovered from the hoodlums: one SMG riffle, one Baretta pistol, two locally made revolver pistols, one dagger, one Biafra flag, two pairs of ESN uniform, two Barets, Two web belts, assorted charms and on Acura SUV allegedly snatched from a Reverend father in Awgbu on 31st May, 2022.”
The command said the suspects arrested are being interrogated with a view to eliciting information on their involvement in previous crimes.