Three members of the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) allegedly responsible for the abduction and murder of retired Major General Richard Chikwendu Duru were among the deadly suspects arrested over involvement in various crimes paraded by the Police in Imo State on Thursday.
The alleged IPOB members identified as Chukwunonso Emmanuel, Okoroigwe Goodness, and Innocent Ogu, were among suspects paraded by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma. They were paraded at the Command’s Headquarters, Owerri, the State capital.
The State Commissioner said that the suspects were arrested in Imo and Anambra States and had already “confessed to the crime of kidnapping and murdering Major General Duru as well as being members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) /Eastern Security Network (ESN).”
Danjuma said the IPOB/ESN members are part of a kidnap syndicate and were busted through intense intelligence gathering and sustained follow-up by the Command’s anti-kidnapping unit.
According to the Police Commissioner, represented at the parade by Police Spokesperson, Henry Okoye: “The suspects, Chukwunonso Emmanuel, Okoroigwe Goodness, and Innocent Ogu, were arrested in different locations in Imo and Anambra States. They confessed to the crime of kidnapping and murdering Major General Duru, as well as being members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) /Eastern Security Network (ESN).”
Major General Richard Chikwendu Duru (rtd) was abducted in Orji, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State about eight months ago.
He was driving himself and alone in a black Mercedes Benz ML jeep when he was ambushed by the gunmen who were in a Toyota Sienna SUV.
Said the source then: “The situation in the region is becoming precarious especially in Imo State. We were informed that he was kidnapped by four persons who ambushed him with their Toyota Sienna. The kidnappers drove his vehicle away. And immediately we were informed, all checkpoints were informed and efforts were made to track him. His phone 08033567459 was tracked to Mbaitoli in Imo State before it was switched off.”
General Duru, an Engineer, was a former Commandant of Nigerian College of Logistics (NACOL), now re-designated as Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management (NACOLM), Ojoo Cantonment, Lagos.
He was a member of 33rd Regular Course (RC) of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and NDC 18 of National Defence College Abuja.
The Police Commissioner also announced that the Police recovered 48 different firearms, 552 various calibres of live ammunition, and several stolen vehicles from the suspects.
“Additionally, 13 kidnapped victims were rescued and N9 million and other properties were recovered from the suspects,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police commended the operatives for their gallantry display in achieving the operational feats and charged them to sustain the tempo in their unwavering commitment to curtail the activities of criminally minded elements in the State.
“The suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigations,” he added.
