Thirty-one months after the gruesome murder of a Nigerian US Soldier, Chuks Okebata, police operatives have arrested four persons suspected to have perpetrated the act.
30-year-old Udodiri Bright aka Ability, a native of Osuachara Village in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo state was arrested alongside Ekwuru Shadrack aka Escobar (26), a native of Arondizuogu Village in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo state, Chimerie Igwe aka 4real (30), a native of Umucheke Village in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State and Chibuike Sunday (28) from Arondizuogu in Imo State.
In a statement on Wednesday, Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said the suspects were arrested on July 5, 2020, by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) for the abduction and murder of Okebata who came into Nigeria for holidays in his home town, Okigwe, Imo State, in 2017.
He said the gang was one of the foremost kidnapping groups terrorizing the south-eastern part of the country.
In a similar development, the police team also arrested suspected trans-boundary armed robbery and car snatching syndicate.
The gang was allegedly led by 30-year-old Yakubu Hayatu from Borno State.
Other arrested members were Adamu Awalu (28) from Kano State, Abdulrahman Yakubu (23) from Zaria, Yususf Adamu (22) from Zaria, Kamal Japhet (22) from Katsina, Abubakar Samaila (20) from Zaria, Muhammadu Abdulahi (20) from Zaria, Yahaya Mohammed (18) from Kaduna State and Ibrahim Abubakar (21) from Kwara.
The suspects were said to have snatched over thirty exotic cars at gun point, killed two policemen and also used anti-tracker devices to evade arrest. The stolen vehicles were allegedly delivered to one Alhaji Garba in Maradi, Niger Republic.
Eighteen vehicles have reportedly been recovered while the police is currently working with INTERPOL to apprehend Alhaji Garba and recover the remaining vehicles.
Mba disclosed that other suspected criminals involved in various crimes were also arrested and weapons recovered.
These weapons included 4 Ak47 rifles, 5 other assault guns, 378 Rounds of ammunition, 18 Vehicles, 1 Anti-Tracker Device, amongst others.
The police spokesman said suspects will be charged to court on conclusion of investigations.