…suspects are four Sgts, two constables and one corporal
Juliana Francis
Members of the Nigerian Police Force are still in shock following the arrest and detention of seven serving policemen who on the 8th of November 2022, allegedly stormed Zenith Bank, Umuahia, Abia State with their kidnapped victim to withdraw a vast sum of money for a ransom payment.
According to reports gathered by securitynewsalert.com, the policemen would have gotten away with the operation, but the swift response of their colleagues, who were working on the side of the law.
During interrogation, the seven policemen, comprised of four sergeants, one corporal and two constables claimed to be attached to Imo State Police Command.
Following their arrest, the police rescued the kidnapped victim from the suspects.
The suspects have been identified as Sgt George Osuka, Sgt Iroeme Finian, Sgt, Ohakim Chibuzor, Sgt Onusoro Isodore, Corporal Onyegbule Kelechi, Constable Placid Ihemtugbe and Constable Stephen Nwadike.
It was further gathered that immediately Abia State Police Command got information that seven kidnappers, also believed to be armed robbers had stormed Zenith Bank with a kidnapped victim, ostensibly to collect money for ransom, the command mobilized and came up with a strategy to corner the suspects.
The operatives who were detailed to stop the kidnappers, immediately ensured that all known routes from and to the Zenith Bank were blocked.
The suspects were said to have walked into the waiting arms of the policemen. Indeed, securitynewsalert.com learnt that police operatives were shell-shocked and speechless when they discovered after the arrest that the alleged kidnappers and robbers, were actually serving policemen.
A Police Situation Report sighted by securitynewsalert.com, states: “On the 8th of November 2022, at about 3:20 PM, distress calls from Police Control Room Umuahia revealed that kidnappers were in Zenith Bank Umuahia, making cash withdrawal for ransom, with their victim. The Command activated its crime-fighting system and major roads and streets in the metropolis were blocked immediately. Seven police personnel dressed in black on black and each bearing one AK47 rifle with double magazines of live ammunition were recovered from them. Also, their victim was rescued and his white Toyota Camry car with Registration Number Abuja 242EU was recovered. The suspects claimed to serve in Imo State Police Command and could not explain their mission to Abia State Police Command. Their two Toyota Sienna buses without registration numbers were recovered. The seven suspects include Sgt George Osuka, Sgt Iroeme Finian, Sgt Ohakim Chibuzor, Sgt Onusoro Isdore, Cpl Onyegbule Kelechi, PC Placid Ihemtuge and Stephen Nwadike. They have been detained.”