Abia gang leader rapes woman and collects 200,000 Naira ransom

The Abia State Police Command on Friday confirmed the arrest of no fewer than 162 suspects for various crimes, including kidnapping and child trafficking in the state.

This was disclosed by Maureen Chinaka, the state police spokesperson, when she paraded the suspects at the command headquarters in Umuahia local government area of ​​the state.

According to Chinaka, the suspects were arrested for various crimes including kidnapping, child trafficking, robbery, illegal possession of weapons, hard drugs and others.

While parading the suspects, Chinaka disclosed that one Josephine Martins, 56, was arrested for child trafficking after a complainant reported to the Umuahia Central Police Station that her niece, Chinaemezunkpa Okechi, was previously pregnant but did not deliver the baby.

When asked, Chinaka said the plaintiff revealed that her niece had testified that two persons identified only as Sam and Uzoma took her to Martin’s house in Amansu Ubakala.

After the birth of her baby on April 18, 2024, Chinaka said the suspects planned to take the baby away from her and rented an apartment on Umuwaya Road in Umuahia. The suspects were arrested and subsequently arraigned in court.

Also mentioned was the arrest of five men: Nwanwa Ifeanyi, 32; Ezeugo Ogbonna, 27; Chukwuebuka Okwuchukwu, 28; Chibuisi Ogbonna, 22; and Chinemerem Ogbonna, 20, for kidnapping a woman in Ariaria area of ​​Aba.

It was learnt that the victim was robbed of her Infinix Hot 3 phone by the men and raped at gunpoint by the gang leader. She was released the next day after her parents paid 200,000 naira.

However, the Rapid Reaction Force was able to track down the perpetrators to their hideout in Umungbede village in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, where another victim, Chukwuka Solomon, was rescued and the suspects arrested.

In addition, 25-year-old Christian Ezekiel was arrested for human trafficking with three women.

Chinaka said SWAT officers acting on credible information visited Milverton Park in Aba where the man, along with three girls – Joy Nwachukwu, 19, Faith Ndukwe, 20, and Grace Ozioma, 20 – attempted to board a vehicle to Kano State with the intention of taking the girls to Libya without their parents’ consent.

The PPRO noted that the suspect was arrested, adding that investigations are ongoing and attempts are being made to contact the girls’ relatives.

The PPRO highlighted further successes and announced that six children and four adult kidnapping victims were rescued during the operations.

In addition, eleven locally made single-barrelled shotguns and five locally made double-barrelled shotguns were seized.

Seven vehicles, one Keke Napep and three motorcycles were also confiscated.

In addition, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and other hard drugs were seized.