Police release suspected kidnappers in Ebonyi

Abakaliki- The Ebonyi Police Command on Saturday in Abakaliki released some innocent suspects who were arrested in connection with the kidnap of a man on Dec. 21.

Mr Franklin Ajah was abducted by a group of armed men at the Ugwuachara area of Abakaliki while inspecting his building project. He was later found in a house at the Mgbukobe area of the town after an undisclosed amount of money was said to have been paid as ransom.

Mr Sylvester Igbo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ebonyi, said that when the command got wind of the case, its men swooped on the building where the victim was held hostage. He said that the police were able to effect the release of the victim after apprehending some suspected kidnappers.

File photo: suspected kidnappers

“We employed the ‘Judge’s Rule’ system, where several suspects are arrested in connection with a case and screened to ascertain the real culprits. “We arrested most people living in the building and neigbourhood but after their screening, we released those who were not connected with the kidnapping case.

“We, however, detected two persons who were connected directly to the case. After full investigations are concluded, the duo would be charged to court,” he said.

However, the PPRO did not confirm whether a ransom was paid for Ajah’s release even when family sources reaffirmed that a ransom was actually paid. Igbo assured citizens of the state of the command’s readiness to provide them with adequate security at all times. (NAN)