Anambra State Joint Task Force (JTF) demolishes three buildings belonging to suspected kidnappers in Aguleri

In what looked like a commando operation, the Anambra State by the Joint Task Force (JTF), yesterday, demolished three buildings belonging to suspected kidnappers in Aguleri, Governor Willie Obiano’s community. Residents of the community were in jubilant mood, hailing Obiano and his (JTF) team, comprising the police, the Army, Navy and the Federal Road Safely Commission (FRSC). The operation was led by the Anambra State Police Commissioner, Usman Gwary; the Army Commander, incharge of 302 regiment Onitsha, Col Auwal Fagge and Navy Capt. M.G. Oamen, Commander, Navy, Onitsha Also on hand to witness the demolition were the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, Hon. Chikodi Anarah and the Senior Special Adviser on Media, James Eze. 

The suspected kidnappers, Ogochukwu Ngwueche (aka-Nwa Jesus), Onyeka and Chigozie, were allegedly involved in the kidnap of the brother to the owner of Orange Drugs Limited, in which a ransom of 50 million naira was paid. The suspects also confessed to have kidnapped the brothers of Mic-Merah group of companies and Chief Goody Okeke (GUO), from which they collected ransom of over 80 million naira. Ngwueche, while speaking to reporters yesterday, said the gang’s first ransom of N165 million was collected in 2011 after the kidnap of Whiteman. Other members of the gang, according to the suspect, include Wyna, Onyeka and Chigozie, all of who are on the run. Briefing reporters after the exercise, the state Police Public relations Officer Emeka Chukwuemeka said the 17 persons arrested by the police during the week were dare-devil robbers and kidnappers. 

Two of the suspects were arrested at Okpoko near Onitsha, while another person who arranged the kidnap of his sister and her son at Nnobi was also arrested. Chukwuemeka described the arrest of the suspects as a result of the synergy between the state government and the security agencies in the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Usman Gwary, said the police authorities have made a decision to destroy any building found to belong to any kidnap suspect in the state. According to him, “we will not be distracted by somebody who does not see any good in the good work happening in the state between the governor and the security agencies.” A victim of the suspects, Chief Jerome Nnechi, told The Nation that Aguleri, the governor’s home community was being seen as the den of kidnappers by many.