ABIA- The NigeriansArmy arrests oneHundred kidnappers

The  Nigerians military tock action against the kidnappers in Abia State has continued to record major successes, with over 100 suspected kidnappers arrested in surprise raids carried out in camps located in Ukwa West and Obingwa local governments The raids also yielded the recovery of 21 vehicles of various brands by the military.

Assistant director of army public relations, 82 Division Enugu, Sagir Musa, who conducting members of the press round some of the overrun camps of kidnappers in Obingwa Local Government said the suspects would be screened and handed over to the police for further action.

Police in the state are already prosecuting 18 suspected kidnappers, including the chairman of Ukwa West Local Government, Henry Nwokengbede.

Mr Musa said a camp controlled by a kidnap kingpin, known as Susu, fell during a night raid carried out by troops, but the crime lord escaped into the bush behind his bungalow tucked behind a village primary school and a Catholic Church in the community.

“The dawn operation was launched between 3am and 4am but unfortunately they knew we were coming and they escaped into the bush,” he said.

In Umuezi Community School had been taken over by the kidnap group and turned into a camp, but their victims were usually kept in Susu’s four-bedroom bungalow.

Mr. Musa said the priest in charge of the Catholic Church has been handed over to the Abia State security services for questioning.

“A bank safe buried behind an uncompleted building was discovered, which lent credence to the belief that many of the bank robberies carried out at Aba were done by Susu and his boys,” the army spokesperson said. Several empty boxes of ammunition and expended magazines were also recovered.

He said the army had also taken over the home of an herbalist at Mr. Mgboko, alleged to be the one preparing charms for the hoodlums; but like his main client, the herbalist had also fled before the arrival of the troops.