The residents of Imo State have continued to live in panic following the influx of unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in Nwangele Local Government Area of the state.
In the last one week, EKO HOT BLOG gathered that no fewer than six persons were kidnapped by gunmen in Abba, Isu, Abajah and Dim Na Nume.
It was learnt that three men operating in two Highlander SUVs, last Friday, abducted one Mr. Chimezie Okpara in Umudurunna, Abba.
Okpara was said to have been released on Tuesday night in Owerri, the Imo State capital, after paying some unspecified amount of money as ransom.
EKO HOT BLOG further gathered that a few days later, a prominent resident was abducted by unknown gunmen in Abajah.
However, sources disclosed that the man was able to negotiate with his abductors by allegedly paying N5 million ransom.
Two men were also said to have been abducted at Isu community while a reverend sister and another woman were abducted at Dim na Nume.
It was gathered that a stakeholders meeting called by leaders of Dim na Nume could not hold over security concerns.
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A community leader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the communities were frightened by various kidnappings in the state.
Investigation has, however, revealed that the Imo State Police Command has been working on the theory that most of the unknown gunmen dislodged from the city centres and former inmates of Owerri Custodial Centre, who were released during the April 5 attack on the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service, might be responsible for the new trend of kidnapping in the state.
EKO HOT BLOG gathered that the latest development had prompted the police command to deploy Special Forces to various communities to check the ugly trend.
Gunmen
According to a statement signed by the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro, was quoted to have said the immediate deployment of Police Special Forces to the localities was to reinforce the security forces patrolling those areas.
“While briefing the Special Forces at the Command Headquarters Owerri this morning, the Commissioner of Police charged them to deal ruthlessly with the criminal elements disturbing the hinterlands,” the police spokesman stated.
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