Wife of INEC officer murdered in Ebonyi rescued in Abia forest

The Ebonyi State Police Command has rescued wife of the late staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Emmanuel Igwe.

Until his death, the deceased was an Assistant Electoral Officer of INEC in Afikpo North local government area of the state.

The deceased was killed on June 18, 2023, when gunmen attacked him and his wife at Ishiagu in Ivo local government area of the state.

After killing Igwe, the assailants abducted his wife.

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But on Sunday, the police said they rescued her after acting on an intelligence report.

It was gathered that the police also arrested no fewer than eight members of the criminal gang after storming the hideout where three members of the gang were reportedly killed.

The Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Hon. Emmanuel Aja, confirmed the arrest and killing of three of the suspects to journalists.

Aja explained that the hoodlums were apprehended at their hideout in Lokpanta, Umunneochi Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia state.

He commended men of the Nigeria police for their courage and gallantry and pledged that the council would not hesitate in ridding the area of criminals

He 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,” Aja stated.

The chairman, who expressed his administration’s commitment to rid the LGA of crimes, called on the people of the area to always volunteer useful information to the police.

“Security is everyone’s business, when you see something, say something because, in that way, we will be several steps ahead of the criminals,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebonyi Command, SP. Onome Onovwakpoyeya who also confirmed the development, said the abducted woman was rescued unhurt in a thick forest.

“Yes, the woman, Mrs Charity Igwe, who was kidnapped while her husband was killed has regained freedom.

“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,” she said.