By John Ugo, Awka
About eight suspected kidnappers have been arrested in Ebonyi state in connection with the killing
of a member of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr Emmanuel Igwe, last week.
The wife of the deceased who was also kidnapped had been after payment of ransom.
The chairman of Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mr Emmanuel Ajah, confirmed the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers.
The INEC employee was reportedly killed along Ishiagu-Mpu road last Sunday.
Speaking with newsmen in Abakaliki, the state capital, Ajah said Igwe’s wife was released after payment of ransom to the kidnappers
The council chairman noted that the kidnappers were tracked to their hideout and apprehended through the joint effort of security agencies.
Ajah explained that the kidnappers were seen with Fulani herdsmen and some bad boys from the Lonkpanta community and were tracked after collecting the ransom.
“We didn’t sleep since that incident happened; the kidnappers demanded ransom, and we gave it to them. We tracked them to their hideout through the joint efforts of the security agencies and my men.
“We have apprehended eight of them, and we are still searching for the remaining two, who are the major kingpins,” he said.
Ajah called on the indigenes of the council to desist from conspiracies to commit crime, noting that no one will be spared.
He urged indigenes to give the police useful information that will lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspects.
