Ebonyi police foil kidnap attempt, kill criminal gang members 

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

Ebonyi state police command at the weekend said it has neutralized criminal gang members during a raid in their hideout in Iyonu community, Ishielu LGA of the state.

The police, also foiled kidnap attempt on the mother of a prominent politician in

Isata community, Isu, Onicha LGA of the state.

The Spokesperson of the command, Joshua Ukandu made this known in a statement signed and issued to newsmen in Abakaliki, on Saturday.

The statement reads in part: “In continuation of its sustained onslaught against criminal elements in the state, operatives of the Ebonyi State Command have neutralised two suspected hoodlums during a raid on their hideout in Iyonu community, Ishielu LGA.

“The operation, which was carried out within the Iyonu/Idodo Forest, followed credible intelligence on the activities of the gang terrorising the area. On sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire. 

“At the end of the encounter, two of the suspects were neutralised. The following exhibits; one AK-47 rifle, two locally fabricated Dane guns, twenty (20) rounds of 9mm ammunition, and five (5) live cartridges were recovered from the scene.

“Similarly, acting on cultivated intelligence, operatives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command foiled a kidnap attempt on the mother of a prominent individual in Isata community, Isu, Onicha LGA. 

“The suspects — Monday Okorie (m), Ngwuta Friday (m), and Simon Joshua (m) — were arrested while one member of the gang remains at large. One locally made single-barrel gun was recovered from the suspects.

 They will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Adaku Uche-Anya has assured residents of Ebonyi State that the command will not relent in its fight against criminal elements in the state.

She further urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to assist the command in its proactive crime prevention efforts.