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Police rescue one of the kidnapped Imo monarch, arrest 30 suspects
By Ibrahim Adeleke
One of the traditional rulers kidnapped in Imo State on Sunday, Acho Ndukwe has been rescued by the police.
Ndukwe, the monarch of Ihube autonomous community in Okigwe Local Government Area of the State, was kidnapped on Sunday and rescued the same day by police.
However, the whereabouts of another traditional ruler, the monarch of Ihitte Ihube autonomous community, also in Okigwe LGA, Paul Ogbu, who was also abducted by kidnappers is still unknown.
Some gunmen had about 12am on Sunday invaded the homes of the two traditional rulers, set their palaces ablaze and whisked them away.
While Nduwke was later released by the police, Ogbu is still in the captivity of his abductors.
During the raid by a joint security team that saw Ndukwe released, some 30 suspected kidnappers and criminals were arrested.
FirstNews learnt that the suspects were arrested in camps in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State and Uli community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In his response to the development, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma applauded security agencies for their work.
Noting the arrests of the suspects shows that the new strategy for combating insecurity in the state is working, Uzodinma said:
“I want to commend the security agencies in Imo State, the DSS, the army, the navy, the police, the civil defense, all of them, for putting their heads together and making sure that, at least, Imo people come home to celebrate Christmas.
“It has been a great thing of worry, wondering how entire local governments like Orsu local government would be abandoned in the hands of criminals and cannibals.
“From what we have seen, you will agree with me that these are criminals and bandits who have no future, no plan, who are killing human beings and roasting human beings, eating human beings, cannibals. How else are we supposed to treat these kinds of idiots, if not to ensure that the law takes its course.
“Oftentimes we discuss our strategies and before they will be implemented, it is foiled by the group. Because of mutual suspicion, we have agreed to only discuss at the end of every operation.
“I don’t want to encourage security agencies to tell anybody how they intend to continue this fight. But I know the new strategy is working and my government will give them every support they need to ensure that there is peace in Imo State and then Imo people will be better off for it.”
