OLISA Ifejika, a suspected armed robber and kidnapper who operates in Anambra State, Nigeria, has been arrested by the state command of the Nigeria Police, in connection with the recent kidnap of Igwe Robert Eze of Ukpo Community of Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.
Eze was abducted on July 29, and was released on Aug. 6.
The police also said they had uncovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the suspect described as “the most wanted armed robbery/kidnap kingpin responsible for several high profile crimes.”
Briefing newsmen on the developments in Awka on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Balla Nasarawa, said the suspect was arrested on Sept. 3, at Ifite Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Council Area of the state.
According to him, the suspect is responsible for the kidnap of Igwe Jerome Okolie of Ihembosi Community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area sometimes in 2010, and the recent kidnap of Eze.
“His criminal escapades span over a period of years.
“His gang was responsible for the killing of five policemen at Okija on June 22, murder of three policemen at Ozubulu on April 2, and the attack at Amichi and Ukpor Police Divisions on April 4, ” he said.
Among the items recovered from the suspect were 27 AK47 rifles, one K2 rifle, two type-06 rifles, one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), one rocket launcher and 17 rockets.
Others items included six action guns, three dane guns, one berretta pistol and 13 rocket grenades.
The police boss added that 12, 800 rounds of AK47 live ammunition, 530 rounds of LAR ammunition, 95 rounds of GPMG live ammunition, 1,000 rounds of K2 live ammunition and 143 magazines were also recovered.
“These arms and ammunition were concealed in something like a make shift armory dug under ground in plastic drums.
“With these small arms and ammunition, you can even equip a small army, which is very dangerous.
“Some of the arms were those carted away when two of our police stations were attacked, while five of the AK47 riffles were those carted away from some members of the IGP task force on heinous crime.
“In fact, some members of the task force team were killed while their arms were carted away.
“Also, you can see some bullet proof vests which they carted away from our men to disguise themselves during robbery,” he added.
Nasarawa assured the people of the state that the police would remain committed of ridding the state of all forms of criminality.
While advising landlords to be weary of those they rented their houses to, Nasarawa appealed to members of the public to always volunteer useful information that would aid the police in carrying out their duties.
Since the kidnap of Okolie, a first class traditional ruler in 2010, his whereabouts had yet to be known even as the police maintained that investigations were still on-going.
Eze was kidnapped at his palace by a four-member gang after returning from a church service.