The Imo State Police Command said it has arrested there suspected kidnappers, including a 22 year female suspect, who allegedly conspired with others to kidnap one Mr Sabinus Ibe in Owerri.
A statement issued by the spokesman of the Command, DSP Henry Okoye, said the arrest was carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
Okoye identified the suspects as Favour Dike, 22, Ifeanyi Kingsley, 30, and Wisdom Chikodi, 31. He said they were arrested on March 18, 2025, following thorough investigations and strategic operations led by the unit.
The police spokesman stated that the victim, Mr. Sabinus Ibe, was abducted on February 22, 2025, at around 8:00 pm in Egbu, Owerri, and forcibly taken to an undisclosed location by the suspects.
He further disclosed that the kidnappers demanded a ransom for his release, which was paid through a POS transaction that was later traced to a Moniepoint account (8213707568) operated by one of the suspects, Favour Dike, at the Timber and Allied Market in Owerri North Local Government Area.
“Upon arrest, Favour Dike, admitted to receiving a two million naira ransom payment on the instructions of Ifeanyi Kingsley, a trader in Timber and Allied Market Naze in Owerri.
“Kingsley later confessed to providing Dike’s POS account details at the request of his friend, Wisdom Chikodi, a member of the kidnapping syndicate. Chikodi, from Umuezuo Ekwereazu in Ahiazu LGA, is believed to have played a significant role in orchestrating the kidnapping,” Okoye stated.
According to the statement, further investigation led to the arrest of Wisdom Chikodi in his hotel room at New Owerri. He then took the operatives to the Old Township Stadium, Tetlow Road, where gang members fled upon seeing the police, abandoning an ash-colored Toyota Camry 2.4 model.
In searching the vehicle, two pump-action rifles, one locally made gun, and 18 live cartridges were discovered.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Police Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to fighting crime. He assured that the suspects will be arraigned in court after the investigation, and efforts are underway to apprehend other members of the syndicate,” the statement added.
Okoye urged the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or via 0803 477 3600.
