Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested a notorious member of a deadly kidnap gang that terrorized residents and people of the state.
The suspect, Mr Matthew Nwankwo, was arrested in the wee hours of Tuesday morning in his Nteje community in Oyi Local Government Area by the Tactical and Anti Kidnapping Team of the state command.
Investigations revealed that the police had in July 2015 declared Mr Matthew Nwankwo wanted alongside others over their alleged involvement in serial kidnapping activities which led to the abduction of high-profile businessmen, politicians and other individuals during the administration of former Governor Willie Obiano.
The state government under ex-Governor Willie Obiano had demolished his house at his Umuobinulo village in Nteje community along with those of his two other kidnap gang members whose names include: Solomon Chibuzo Morah and Hyacinth Chibuodu, both who are Indigenes of neighbouring Umueri community in Anambra East local government area of the state.
The kidnap kingpin is presently cooling his heels at the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) in Awka the state capital.
According to the source, Matthew, whose terror gang in the state held sway for a long time under the alleged powerful protection of his father’s magical influence as a native doctor, had sneaked into his Umuobinulo village in Nteje community to resume his heinous crime when police swooped on him.
It was learnt that Morah and Chibuodu were arrested by the police during an operation led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Joseph Agugoesi.
Mr Matthew Nwankwo, was said to have escaped from detention which led to his being declared wanted by the police.
It was further gathered that one of the suspects, Morah, was said to have confessed to the police during interrogation that he made about N70million from kidnapping activities.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state command, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu when contacted on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of the kidnap kingpin Nwankwo.
He said Matthew Nwankeo is in the custody of the police command but failed to give further details on the matter.
According to Ikenga, “The suspect (Matthew Nwankwo) is in custody and further development shall be completed”.
Recall that the administration of the state Governor, Prof Charles Soludo in collaboration with the State Joint Security Taskforce and other security agencies have taken the war to the hideouts of unknown gunmen, kidnappers, armed Robbers and other criminal elements.
The move is aimed at making Anambra state a liveable haven for businesses to thrive as well as for peaceful and harmonious relationships among the people of the state.
Although, there has been a resurgence of kidnapping activities including bloody rival secret cult battles among different confraternities in the past two weeks which led to the death of over six persons in different parts of Awka town.
