Imo State Traditional Ruler In Police Custody Over Alleged Kidnapping

Andrew Okuegbunuwa, the Eze of Uba community in Awara, Ohaji/Egbema local government area of Imo state has been arrested in connection to a series of kidnappings within and outside his community.

Briefing newsmen on Tuesday, the State Police Commissioner, Isaac Akinmoyede, disclosed that his arrest led to the arrest of a native doctor identified as Bernard Uzoma at Umunoha in Mbaitoli local government area.

The native doctor allegedly provided the gang with protection from death and arrest.

The State Police Commissioner revealed that a total sum of N4.2m was recovered from the suspects out of the combined ransom of N7.5m paid for the release of two victims and the native doctor was paid N200,000 as his own share from the loot.

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Akinmoyede further said the 59-year-old traditional ruler provided a vehicle, Lexus RX330 SUV with number plate: URM 404 EL, for the kidnappers.

Akinmoyede said; “Having lost the vehicle in the operation, Andrew was given N3,000,000 to replace his vehicle by the kidnappers. It was discovered that the vehicle was not recorded in the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, database."

However, while admitting that he received a car, Okuegbunuwa denied being aware it was part of criminal proceeds.

“They collected my car and they did not tell me what they want to use it for,” the traditional ruler told the Vanguard.

“When they came, they said my car got lost and they gave me N3.5m to replace my car.”

He added: “Let me state this, I have received money from them only four times. I did not know that they used it for kidnapping and they only gave money for my car that got lost.”