The operatives of the Ebonyi State Police Command have killed three of the suspected killers of an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Emmanuel Igwe, and rescued his kidnapped wife, Charity.

Igwe, an Assistant Electoral Officer (AEO) of INEC, was on Sunday, June 18, killed by gunmen along the Ishiagu-Mpu Road and abducted his wife.

It was gathered that the police also arrested no fewer than eight members of the criminal gang.

The Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Emmanuel Aja, who disclosed the arrest and killing of three of the suspects to newsmen in Abakaliki, the state capital, on Sunday, said the gunmen were busted at their hideout in Lokpanta, Umunochi Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State.

Aja commended the police officers for their courage and gallantry, pledging that the council would not hesitate in ridding the area of criminals.

READ ALSO: Gunmen kill INEC official, kidnap wife in Ebonyi

He said the police have also launched a manhunt to arrest the fleeing suspects, assuring that all the suspects would be arrested and brought to justice.

The LG chairman said: “The successful operation of the Special Squad of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ebonyi Command of the Nigeria Police led to the arrest of no fewer than eight suspected killers of the INEC staff while three of the suspects were neutralised in the operation.

“The killers, suspected to be kidnappers who also abducted their victim’s wife, were arrested at their hideout in a forest at Lokpanta in Abia State on Saturday, June 24.

“Efforts are being intensified to apprehend the leader of the criminal gang, nicknamed ‘Alhaji’, who fled during the gun duel between the gang and the police.

“The suspected kidnappers are allegedly responsible for the various kidnappings and other criminal activities in the council area.”

Confirming the development, the Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said Igwe’s wife was rescued unhurt in a forest in Abia State.

Onovwakpoyeya said: “She was rescued in a forest at Lonkpanta community in Abia State and she is receiving medical treatment in a hospital.

“Investigation is still ongoing to fish out everyone in connection with the crime.

The Star