From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, yesterday paraded the leader of a four-man gang that allegedly abducted and raped a female magistrate.
Declaring that the police command would sustain the momentum in the mission to arrest and prosecution armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists and other criminals in the state, Ezike disclosed that the command had commenced vetting and profiling of communities, organisations and hotels that have shown uncommon notoriety in harbouring criminals.
The CP said 36 suspects were arrested for alleged armed robbery, cultism and kidnaping, including Akachukwu, 34, a native of Ohafia in Abia State, and three members of his gang, Chima, 20, Tochukwu, 27, and Desmond, 25.
He revealed that the suspects were involved in the kidnapping of one Mrs. Obiageri Ekukema from Avu, in Owerri West council area of Imo State on the June 6, 2017, the abduction of one Femi Ajibola, also of Avu community, kidnapping of Uzoka Ikenna Polycarp, Ahanonu Chikadibia and Chibuike Nwauzor on May 6, 2017, at Orji in Owerri North.
Ezike said one pump-action rifle and one locally-made pistol were recovered from the suspects.
Fielding questions from newsmen, one of the suspects, Akachukwu, confessed to the crime, saying he raped one of his females victims but did not know she was a magistrate in the state.
According to him, “I raped the woman once in the forest, where I and three members of my gang held her hostage for two days, but I did not know she was a magistrate and it was only once. It was the work of the devil. I was not into this business before, but because of hardship I joined. I need to feed my seven children. I had to join some of my friends in this evil business.”
The suspect said he had repented “because it is not good. We had not even collected any ransom from her before vigilantes and the police rescued the woman.” and I pray that God will forgive me.”
In a related development, one Nwabugo (24), from Igbodo Okoroche, in Etche Council Area of Rivers State was paraded for being in the possession of a Toyota Camry car.
The CP revealed that exhibits recovered from the suspects includes: one double barrel locally made pistol, one iron cutter, two long machetes, one mask and Toyota Camry.
He said the suspects would be charged to court.