Imo State Police Command has revealed that the kidnappers of Most Rev. Moses Chikwe, the Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, abandoned him and fled on the verge of being nabbed.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Orlando Ikeokwu, disclosed this in a statement.
The police said the bishop, his driver, Ndubuisi Robert and one Chioma Stephanie Ekwedike who was kidnapped at Imo Housing Estate, Umuguma were rescued unhurt and without ransom.
The statement noted that a sting operation embarked upon by the tactical squad of the command led by the Anti Kidnapping Unit, had stormed Awara, Ohaji/Egbema LGA and Omuku creeks, and arrested few persons positively linked to the crime/criminals, while some incriminating items were recovered.
According to the statement, the arrest led to those holding the victims hostage, abandoning them and fled.
The police assured the public that they are capable of protecting lives and property, but warned against false reports.
The statement urged members of the public to report on time any incident of crime within their area to enable the police move swiftly into action
“A combined unit of all the tactical teams on the 31st December, 2020 stormed Awara, Ohaji/Egbema LGA and Omuku creeks. Few persons positively linked to the crime/criminals were arrested, and some incriminating items recovered.
The arrest of the suspects and other coordinated operations by the command led to the kidnappers abandoning victims, leading to rescue of the bishop and two other victims unhurt and without payment of any ransom. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the notorious kidnapping syndicate”, the police stated.
