A 75-year old woman, Mrs Virginia Arinze, mother of former Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism in Anambra, Chief Ken Arinze, kidnapped on Feb. 21, has regained freedom.
Mr Hosea Karma, Commissioner of Police in Anambra, confirmed this to newsmen in Awka on Friday.
He said the woman from Ebenebe in Awka North Local Government Area of the state was rescued on Feb. 27 at Obinofia Ndiuno in Ezeagu, Enugu State.
He said the police and other security agencies would not relent in making the state crime free.
Karma said that the kidnappers were traced to Enugu state by his men following a tip-off after the woman’s family had paid N2.5million ransom to the hoodlums.
The commissioner said the hoodlums called the woman’s son on phone and told him that he would never see his mother again.
He said the two suspects were gunned down during gun challenge with the police, adding that 13 other suspected kidnappers were arrested.
Karma said that some of the items recovered from them included four AK47 riffles, English pistol and seven rounds of 9mm ammunition.
He said two of the suspects kidnapped the niece of the founder of Madonna University, Okija, in Ihiala Council Area, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Edeh, on Jan. 4 in the state.
He said she was rescued at Obolo-Afor, Enugu state.
“These people had been engaged in high profile kidnapping in the state and elsewhere and had been hiding without knowing that they would be arrested one day.
“We are prepared to work day and night in Anambra to ensure peace; this is just a warning to others who are preparing to unleash mayhem in this state.
“I am ready and my men are equally ready for them, if they think Anambra is safe for them, they should have a rethink”, Karma said.
