Command nabs pastor for allegedly kidnapping boy (Photo)
Operatives of the Federal Special Anti -Robbery Squad of the Imo State Police Command have arrested the pastor in charge of Live By Faith Church , Ogbagu, in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state, Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, for his alleged involvement in the kidnap of a one- year -old child , Damian Oluwa.
Also arrested was a 23-year -old man , Miracle Emenekwuru , of Ifakala , in the Mbaitoli LGA.
Briefing journalists on Thursday while handing over the rescued child to his mother , Vivian Ebere , the command ’ s Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Ify Ezeudeogu , said the boy was kidnapped by a four -man gang on Saturday.
According to Ezeudeogu, the hoodlums had invaded Ebere ’ s apartment at Egbu, Owerri , around 2am , and kidnapped the child after robbing his mother .
She disclosed that the suspects collected Automated Teller Machine cards of the woman during the operation .
The police deputy spokesperson said although N 627, 000 was paid as ransom for the boy , the suspects refused to release him to the family.
She said “ On Saturday, around 2am , a gang of armed robbers and kidnap suspects invaded the apartment of one Vivian Ebere .
“ The hoodlums robbed the victim and collected her ATM cards and eventually kidnapped her 17 months old baby , Damian Oluwa.
“ The hoodlums later called the boy’ s mother for ransom. The sum of N 627, 000 was collected from the family . ”
According to Ezeudeogu , the police swung into action after a complaint was made by the family at the FSARS .
“ The FSARS operatives, acting on intelligence and constructive digital analysis , swooped on the assailants on Maduwuba Avenue, Orji , Owerri , arrested the two suspects and rescued the kidnapped child, ” she added .
The boy ’ s mother , Ebere , said after the family paid the initial ransom, the suspects demanded an extra N 200, 000.
She said the five days her son stayed with the suspects were filled with nightmares for her household.
“ We have taken him to a hospital. A series of tests were run on him . He is okay now , ” she added .
The pastor told journalists that the victim was kept in his house, adding that he was not aware that he was kidnapped.
He said when he queried the principal suspect , one Kechi Ogobuiro , who was at large , on how he came about the boy, he ( Ogobuiro ) lied to him .
“ He said he impregnated a woman who lived with her parents in Umuahia. He said his girlfriend handed over the boy to him , ” he added .
On the relationship between him and the principal suspect , the embattled pastor said Ogobuiro was the son of his child’ s godmother .
“ He is a student at the Zenith University, Ghana, ” he added .