Police arrest three suspected kidnappers, rescue victim

[MrVan]

By TONY EDIKE

ENUGU—THE anti-kidnapping unit of  Enugu State police command has apprehended three suspected kidnappers of a female student who had been rescued from a hotel in Trans-Ekulu area of Enugu.

The victim, identified as Princess Uzoamaka Attah, was abducted from her school at Emene in a taxi at about 5. 15 pm on March 27, 2012.

She was allegedly lured out by a member of the gang, who allegedly pretended to be her lover.

The police said the suspects, Chikwendu Emmanuel, Chinedu Anthony Obiora and Chikezie Nnaji, were picked up at Pascana Hotel at Trans Ekulu area of Enugu by operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit, led by Superintendent Stephen Osaghae, on Monday, April 2.

The security operatives were said to have monitored and trailed the kidnappers through the new improved e-tracking device which exposed their hideout ..

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed arrest of the suspects, said several items were recovered from them, including a taxi painted in Coal City colour, N980,000, four GSM handsets, a dagger, iPad and a bag containing some clothes.

He said the suspects were already helping the police in their investigations, while the victim who was rescued unhurt and had reunited with her family.

The police spokesman, who narrated how the victim was abducted, said:  "The victim, one Princess Uzoamaka Attah, was allegedly kidnapped and taken to an unknown destination on 27/03/12 at about 17.15hrs (5.15pm) with a taxi from her school at Emene.

"She was entangled in Blackberry pinging that culminated in exchange of photographs and telephone numbers with one of the kidnappers and on the agreed date of appointment, probably for social activities, the hoodlums went to her school and picked her up.  '"The alleged boyfriend, who the victim had been chatting with, later called the mother of the victim on the phone, informing her that her daughter had been kidnapped for a ransom of  $250,000."

Amaraizu said investigation into the incident was on course, adding that the suspects would be arraigned before a law court to answer charges on the crimes they allegedly committed.

Vanguard Nigeria