WHY KIDNAPPERS RULE SOUTH EAST – IGP

By NBF News

Mr. Ogbonna Onovo
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo has described the unnecessary display of vendetta by aggrieved individuals against their business associates as the reason for the surge in kidnapping and other violent crimes in the South East area. The police boss disclosed this when a high-powered delegation of Nnewi natives led by Mr. C.I.D. Maduabum, member representing Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives visited him at the Louis Edet Force Headquarters.

The IGP, however, declared that the era of such criminality was over as his men had devised strategies to nip in the bud such nefarious activities.

The group said it was at the IGP office to protest the rising incidence of kidnapping and violent crimes in their community.

Other members of the CID Maduabum led delegation include Secretary General, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Ogochukwu Okeke; Chief Gozie Akudolu, Chief Alphonsus Ume, Chief Charles Onyeka and Dr Emmanuel Afiadigwe.

The IGP said investigations had revealed cases where houseboys gave out information about their masters to criminals who used such to effect the kidnap of the affected individuals.

According to him, there have been other cases where culprits in failed kidnap were found to be business associates of their victims.

Onovo then warned that the game of criminality is now over in the region as the police had evolved strategies to curb the menace.

He called on the community to avail the police with useful information to track down perpetrators of the crime.

Earlier, Maduabum noted that the incidence of kidnapping and violent crimes in the area had reached an intolerable level, urging Onovo to do all within his powers to address the situation.

He lamented the exodus of senior citizens as well as corporate bodies from the community, which is the hub of business activities in the state.

Acknowledging the response of the police to the development so far, Maduabum stressed that there is need for the Force to do more considering the surge in the criminal activity.

Secretary General of the NBA, Nnewi chapter, Mr. Ogochukwu Okeke, lamented that the inhabitants are now living in great fear and anxiety over who the next victim would be.