Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Police Command says it has recorded another breakthrough in its fight against criminals terrorising the state with the arrest of suspected kidnappers and the recovery of stolen vehicles.
A statement issued by the Police Spokesperson in the state, Joshua Ukandu, on Friday disclosed that operatives acted on credible intelligence to bust the gang.
“On 2nd September 2025, credible intelligence at the disposal of the Command revealed that some suspected kidnappers had converged at Nwagana Guest House, Umuhuali, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Promptly acting on the information, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Ebonyi State Command, stormed the hideout and arrested two male suspects: Chinedu Okorie and Okpaga Chibueze. During the operation, one Lexus car with Registration Number LSR 895 DB was recovered,” he said.
Mr. Ukandu further explained that confessional statements by the suspects led officers to Abuja, where two more members of the syndicate, Stanley Benson Agada and Joshua Noah Olatunji, were arrested.
“The operation also led to the recovery of four (4) stolen vehicles, namely: Toyota Corolla with Reg. No. KWL 141 CE, Toyota Highlander Jeep with Reg. No. LSD 589 JX, Toyota Venza with Reg. No. LXR 272 JH, and Toyota Sienna Bus with Reg. No. RSH 196 DF,” he said.
The spokesperson confirmed that the rightful owners, who had earlier been victims of kidnapping, had positively identified their vehicles.
The police said arrangements were being made to return the vehicles to the victims after due process.
The statement added that investigations are ongoing and that efforts are in top gear to track down other fleeing members of the gang.
The suspects, the spokesperson noted, will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adaku Uche-Anya, as reassuring residents of the Police Command’s commitment to security.
“The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Adaku Uche-Anya, fdc, reaffirms the Command’s unwavering commitment to rid the state of criminal elements and restore lasting peace and security,” the statement concluded.
