Man disguises as woman to kidnap pupils

Suspects paraded by Abia State Police Command

THE Abia State Police Command has paraded one Uzoma Ugwumadu, who, disguised as a woman, allegedly attempted to kidnap some primary school pupils from Osusu Amukwa Community Primary School in Aba.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joshak Habila, who paraded the suspect along other criminals at the Police Officers Mess, Umuahia, said other members of the syndicate were still at large.

Habila said the suspect had disguised himself as a lady wearing blouse and a breast-like foam and led four school children away when he was intercepted by members of the village vigilance group.

The state police boss said other members of the syndicate, who were in a waiting bus with strange registration number, parked along New Umuahia Road Aba, zoomed off in their vehicle immediately the vigilance group and teachers raised the alarm.

Habila added that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing bandits.

However, the suspect in an interview denied the allegations, claiming that he was only trying to assist the pupils when he was arrested.

Ugwumadu explained that his enemies, who were jealous of his progress, were behind his ordeals, expressing confidence that God would fight his cause.

The police boss also said that efforts were being intensified to track down suspected robbers who held one Uwaoma Nwanmuo hostage in his house at Abala Umuotu village, Obingwa on March 9.

He said that police stormed the venue of the incident following a distress call and engaged the hoodlums in exchange of gun fire which forced them to flee with bullet wounds.

Habila appealed to members of the public to provide police with any useful information that could help in tracking down the fleeing robbers.

Paraded also was one Jeremiah Emmanuel from Onicha in Ebonyi State, who was arrested at Umuode area of Aba while allegedly attempting to rob a passers-by.

Similarly, two robbery suspects, Chigozie Nwaobilor (34) from Obingwa; and Ngozi Nduka (25) from Ntigha Uzo were also paraded by the police.

The suspects, according to police, were arrested following a tip-off and upon interrogation, confessed to belonging to a gang of armed robbers, who for the past two years, operated along Ovom Village/No man’s land axis of Aba.

Police also said investigations were on toward apprehending the kidnappers of a two-year-old boy, Chimsimdiri Obilor.

The police said the mother of the victim reported that one Chidube visited her neighbour, Eberechukwu Eze, and allegedly stole the boy.

Police added that when the said neighbour was confronted by the mother of the victim, she (the neighbour) drank battery acid.

The CP added that one Chinedu Onyiriofor, who allegedly introduced the fleeing suspects to Eberechukwu had been arrested for interrogation.