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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the arrest of three key suspects linked to the abduction of the Anambra State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The arrests were made by troops of Operation UDO KA, working in conjunction with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Major-General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, where he highlighted the military’s operational successes during the second quarter of the year.
The apprehended suspects were identified as Emeka Ede, Okwudili Aja, and Onyebuchi Aja. According to Major-General Kangye, the raid, conducted on Wednesday, targeted the residence of the suspected kidnappers and Eastern Security Network (ESN) criminals.
“Intelligence reports indicate that these suspects masterminded the kidnapping of the NDLEA Commander of Anambra State Command on June 12,” Major-General Kangye stated.
He noted that items recovered from the suspects include an array of weapons, a large cache of ammunition, and various illicit drugs. These items are currently in the custody of the troops, while the suspects are undergoing intensive interrogation.
He said the raid operation was conducted in conjunction with DSS operatives at the residence of the suspected kidnappers/ESN criminals on Wednesday.
“Intelligence report has it that the suspects masterminded the kidnapping of the NDLEA Commander of Anambra State Command on June 12.
“Items recovered from them were assorted weapons and a large cache of ammunition as well as some illicit drugs.
“The recovered items are in the custody of troops while suspects are currently undergoing interrogation,” he said.
Kangye said the troops had also, in offensive operations from June 28 to June 30, made contact with terrorists in Owerri West and Ihiala Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Imo and Anambra States respectively.
He said that 21 suspected illicit drug dealers were apprehended while arms, ammunition, explosives (IEDs) making materials, vehicles, motorcycles and mobile phones were recovered from them.
He added that troops on June 26, acting on credible intelligence, nabbed two suspects at a Point of Sale (POS) belonging to an IPOB/ESN sponsor in Ihiala LGA of Anambra.
The DHQ reaffirms its commitment to ridding the nation of criminal elements and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.
