Imo police arrest suspects in foiled abduction of Japanese returnee

Operatives of Imo State Police Command have foiled the abduction of a Japanese returnee (name withheld) by suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the outlawed security outfit of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

The victim, who hails from Umutei Mgbele in Oguta Local Council of the state, The Guardian gathered, recently returned from Japan, where he is officially based.

Speaking to newsmen in Owerri, yesterday, the Command’s spokesman, Michael Abattam, said the Command also arrested one Ogbuerie Chinwendu, who connived with the sister of the victim and her husband, one Nwachukwu Chikezie, to perpetrate the crime.

According to Abattam, the suspects planned an N100 million ransom for the victim’s release, had their plan succeeded.

He said: “Credible Intelligence was received that members of the outlawed IPOB/ESN had perfected a plan to kidnap a Japan-based Nigerian, who visited his hometown, Umutei Mgbele in Oguta Local Council of Imo State.

“The suspect planned to kidnap him for ransom to enable them source for arms and ammunition for the continuation of their terrorist attacks on unsuspected persons and facilities within Imo State and its environment.

“On receipt of the intelligence, operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command swiftly swung into action, foiled the kidnap when the terrorist appeared on security officers uniform.

“The potential victim was saved from being kidnapped, while the hoodlums resorted to robbing people around the vicinity.

“In following up the matter to unveil the perpetrator of the incident, Ogbuerie Betha Chinwendu, a one-time councillor representing Izombe ward and the victim’s sister were arrested.

“She confessed to having arranged with her husband, one Nwachukwu Chikezie’s of Amakofia Izombe now at large, who arranged his IPOB/ESN terrorist members, alias ‘Iron’ Temple and others who are in the Command’s wanted list to kidnap her brother for the ransom of over N100m, being that her brother is wealthy. Investigation is ongoing for the arrest of the fleeing terrorists.”