Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Members of the Ebubeagu Security Network in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have arrested four persons suspected to be members of a suspected one-chance armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate.
They were arrested along the Amaeze-Ugwueziato-Agwu Expressway near the border with Enugu State at the weekend.
The Council Chairman, Aja Ogbonna, confirmed their arrest to Ikengaonline.
He said the suspects abducted an innocent victim and headed towards the notorious Ojukwu Bus Stop.
The bus stop is notorious for different robbery attacks, kidnapping and brutal murder of road users.
Ogbonna said unfortunately for the suspects, members of the Ebubeagu on their regular security surveillance intercepted and arrested them.
He said: “Crime and other forms of criminal activities will no longer be business as usual. The dangerous gang disturbing the peace of the area on that fateful day as usual, came out for their usual operations but it did not take much efforts for the Ebubeagu security officers on guard to invade their hideout and disarm them.
“They confessed that they are from Enugu State and have been into the business. They confessed that they usually enter their vehicle, leaving a chance or two for their innocent victim who would enter, thinking the vehicle is filled with passengers unknown that the other occupants are their gang members,” he revealed.
Ogbonna said the suspects also confessed to have robbed innocent passengers of their belongings while others were abducted.
“They also confessed that they take their victims to a lonely and dangerous place and then dispossess them of their belongings and leave them at the mercy of the unknown. Some cases could end up in kidnapping and or utter murder of the victim.
“As God would have it, luck ran out on the gang and they were apprehended and brought to Ivo Divisional Police Headquarters, Ishiagu, for further investigation and prosecution,” he added.
Mr Ogbonna urged the Ivo Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to rise up to his obligations and ensure that the arrested suspects were prosecuted.
“This will also ensure the security and safety of the good people of Ivo LGA and eliminate fear, anxiety and tension in the people,” he added.
Commander of the Ebubeagu security network Ivo Command, Chidi Orji, said that their curiosity prompted them to intercept the hoodlums which led to their arrest and subsequent handover to the police.
