Two ex-convicts nabbed over kidnap, murder

The police in Imo State have arrested two ex-convicts over alleged involvement in kidnap and murder.

The suspects, Moses Ijeoma Ogbuefi, 39 and Ikenna Etiti, 29, were arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) few months after they were released from prison on similar charges.

The suspects, who hail from Mgbala Agwa town in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, were alleged to have abducted and killed one Pastor Austin Megwa of Graceland Assembly Church, Okwuemeke in Owerri North on August 11 at Egbu road, Owerri.

The spokesman of the police in the state, SP Orlando Ikeokwu, who confirmed the arrest, said the suspects were arrested on October 16, at Mgbala Agwa in Oguta by operatives of SARS following a tip off in connection with the kidnap and murder of Megwa.

Ikeokwu said the suspects, who were recently released from custody at the Owerri prison following previous involvements in kidnap cases in the state, have made useful statements confessing to the crime and stating the roles they played in the kidnap and murder of the victim.

He said during the operation which led to the subsequent arrest of the suspects, one of the suspects sustained gunshot injury in his leg and was taken to the police hospital where he was treated and discharged.

He added that investigations were ongoing and efforts intensified for the arrest of other fleeing gang members.