OPERATIVES of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Imo State Police Command have made fresh arrests in connection with a kidnapping syndicate , which was smashed last week.
The dreaded gang, which was smashed by the FSARS operatives last week in a gun duel , was headed by a police corporal, Collins Ezinwa , popular known as E -money who absconded from police duty .
In carrying out their operations , the gang of kidnappers made use of a police special number plate to beat security.
While E -money and two others lost their lives during the shootout, four other members of the gang were captured alive by the FSARS detectives led by the commander , Godfrey Victor, a Superintendent of Police .
Briefing newsmen on the latest breakthrough regarding the matter, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state , Mr. Andrew Enwerem , disclosed that FSARS operatives of the command , acting on intelligence, smashed another hideout of the gang in Port Harcourt , Rivers State, made arrests and recovered cars snatched from kidnapped victims .
Enwerem said the operation was led by Victor in the midnight and was strategically coordinated by the state Commissioner of Police , Mr. Chris Ezike .
According to him , the smashing of the Port Harcourt hideout of the gang became imperative after FSARS had burst the kidnappers ’ dens in Ohaji/Egbema and Atta in Imo State, arrested one suspect and recovered arms and ammunition .
The police spokesperson said, “ In continuation of arrests of the gang members of slain Collins Ezinwa popularly known as E -money , FSARS operatives of the Imo State Police Command have smashed another of their hideout in Port Harcourt , Rivers State.
“ The Port Harcourt operation was due to furtherance of investigation and credible intelligence information by our men . Four suspects were arrested while four vehicles snatched from their victims were recovered .
“ The cars are Lexus 350 jeep with number plate , ABJ 30 AH, a Pathfinder jeep without a registration number , a RaV 4 jeep with number plate , ABJ 38 AH and Camry vehicle with number plate , ABU 37 AE. ”
Enwerem said that the gang repainted one of the cars and changed the number plate before carrying out operations .
The police spokesperson said that the arrested suspects were assisting the police by volunteering information on how their fleeing gang members could be apprehended.
Enwerem , who said Ezike was elated by the breakthrough made so far on the matter, disclosed that the disarmament of the gang was a major breakthrough in crime prevention and fighting in the state .