Police Rescue Bishop in Imo, Nab Cultist in Anambra

Police Rescue Bishop in Imo, Nab Cultist in Anambra

The Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, Bishop Moses Chikwe has been rescued unhurt as a result of a sting operation embarked upon by the tactical squad of the Command led by the Anti Kidnapping Unit.

Recall that on 27/12/2020, the Auxiliary Bishop was kidnapped together with his driver, and the hoodlums went ahead to kidnap one Chioma Stephenie Ekwedike ‘f’ aged 33yrs at Imo Housing Estate Umuguma, Owerri West LGA in front of her residence.

Pursuant to the above, the Head and the Officer in Charge of the state Police Command, newly promoted AIG ISAAC O. AKINMOYEDE, activated all the tactical teams in the Command, and charged them to rescue the Bishop and others, and arrest the hoodlums responsible for the act.

Acting on the said directive a combined unit of all the tactical teams on the 31st December, 2020 stormed Awara, Ohaji/Egbema LGA and Omuku creeks. Few persons positively linked to the crime/criminals were arrested, and some incriminating items recovered.
The arrest of the suspects and other coordinated operations by the Command led to the kidnappers abandoning victims, leading to rescue of the bishop and two other victims unhurt and without payment of any ransom. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the notorious kidnapping syndicate.

It is noteworthy to mention that an online media platform last week came up with the news of the death of the Bishop. In the online report, it was claimed that the Auxiliary Bishop was beheaded and his head and decapitated body recovered somewhere in Anambra state. The Command therefore wish to warn against such speculative and junk reportings especially in social media as such is capable of causing breach of peace.

The Command also wishes to commend the public and the Christian community for the calmness during the period of this travail and the confidence reposed in the Nigeria Police to resolve the crime. We however wishes to assure everyone that the Command remains capable of protecting all law abiding citizens of the state.

Members of the public are reminded that all incidents within their area must be promptly reported to the Police especially incidents of grievous nature or heinous crimes.
The Command also calls for information from the members of the public concerning crime and criminalities in their area to enable the police take prompt and decisive actions.

SP IKEOKWU GODSON ORLANDO
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: THE HEAD OF POLICE
IMO STATE
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POLICE OPERATIVES NAB TWO SUSPECTED CULTISTS IN ANAMBRA STATE

In order to stem the tide of cultism and other nefarious activities in the State, the Command Anti-Cult Unit had during the week under review raided a criminal hideout in Awka following intelligence report and arrested two suspects as follows.

(i).Ahamefuna Onyema ‘m’ aged 41years and,
(ii).Destiny Anyaku ‘m’ aged 38years both residing at Umueze village,Amawbia in Awka South LGA of Anambra State.

Suspects voluntarily confessed to be members of the Vikings Secret Cult Confraternity Exhibit recovered in their possessions includes one locally made double barrel pistol and one live cartridge concealed inside a bag hung on the neck by one of the suspect.

In a related development,the Command Anti-cult unit equally responded to a distress call in respect of a robbery incident along Ideani/Alor road in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State.

Suspects on sighting the police jettisoned the robbery operation and escaped into the bush abandoning one unregistered Kymstone Motorcycle and a locally made single barrel gun which were recovered as exhibits.Efforts are being intensified to get the fleeing suspects arrested in order to bring them to book.

Meanwhile,the Commissioner of Police CP John B.Abang,fdc thanked “Ndi Anambra” for their cooperation during the Yuletide period and urged them to sustain the tempo by assisting the Command with actionable intelligence.The CP further reassure the public that the command under his watch will continue to protect lives and properties of all the citizens in accordance with internationally acceptable best practises.

CSP Haruna Mohammed
PPRO Anambra State Police Command.
For -Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command.