By CHIDI NKWOPARA
Imo State Police Command has again recorded successes in its renewed fight against crime and criminals with the arrest of suspected kidnappers and armed robbers operating in its area of jurisdiction.

Disclosing this to Vanguard in Owerri, the Deputy Commissioner of Police,  Mr. Deji  Adebanjo, said “the Command had arrested one Joshua Ughapu of Umuemem, Akabor, who masterminded the kidnap of one Mrs. Comfort Arugbonye from Ejemekwuru in Oguta Local Government Area.”

Adebanjo recalled that the woman was returning from a night crusade organised by Overcomers Christian Mission, Ejemekwuru, when the hoodlums struck and took her away against her will.

He said: “Joshua Ughapu and his gang contacted the relations of the victim and were demanding a ransom of N40 million. The man (Ughapu) was arrested February 2, 2011, by our security operatives while trying to collect a ransom of N1 million offered by the family of the victim.”

According to the him, the operatives immediately left with the suspect to Izombe, where the kidnap victim was held hostage and was consequently rescued unhurt.

“The owner of the house where Mrs. Arugbonye was incarcerated by his abductors, one Collins Ukachi, believed to be acting in concert with the gang was equally arrested,” Adebanjo added.

In a similar development, the Command dislodged a gang of robbers operating in vehicle number RV3939WE, along the  busy Port Harcourt-Owerri  highway.

“On sighting the police, the robbers opened fire. As the firing progressed, the robbers escaped with their vehicle but our operatives gave them a hot chase and one of the robbers was hit on his right leg”, he said.

Continuing,  Adebanjo said that one locally made revolver [pistol), one bag containing wearing apparels and a motorcycle were recovered from the gang.