Anambra State Police Command has arrested the kidnap gang that abducted the mother of former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Sani Lulu and the wife of former Managing Director of Nigeria Breweries Plc, Chief Festus Odimegwu, Lolo Odimegwu.

Disclosing this while parading the suspects and 12 others, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Philemon Leha, said the seven members of the gang that kidnapped Hajia Lulu and collected N4.1 million ransom from the family were arrested while attempting to kidnap the Chairman of Aba Park, Onitsha, Chief Egbuaba.

Leha said that two members of the gang who abducted Lolo Odimegwu and collected N100 million from the family were apprehended at Ndiakwaeke, Umudim Osumoghu in Ihiala Local Government of the state.
Among the two suspects was a 65-year-old Mr. Anthony Nwangwu in whose house the woman was kept and who told newsmen that he was given N5 million as his own share in the N100 million.

The Police boss who gave details of his commands’ achievements in the last one year, noted that 25 policemen, however, lost their lives on duty between January and this month August, 2010. Giving further details of the achievements, Leha disclosed that between September 2009 and August 2010, the command arrested 140 suspected armed robbers and killed 42, just as it recovered 25 Ak-47 riffles and 96 vehicles.

Also, 130 kidnap suspects were arrested and 22 killed, while 16 kidnap victims were rescued and the sum of N6.5 million and 3,000 US dollars recovered. Noting that he met a police with low morale and absolute lack of confidence to be able to embark on any serious crime fighting and with the pace he wanted, Leha said the story has changed now with the support of the people of the state.

He further said that “after grueling one year in office, “I want to leave you to judge because most of you are resident here. How far have we gone? Have we delivered on the mandate and won the people’s confidence on the ability of the police to protect them? Have we been able to reduce the incidence of kidnapping which was the major crime that we have had to face this past twelve (12) months? It is left for you to judge.

“There is no doubt that Anambra State is an evolving mega city with a lot of sprawling businesses, access roads and enterprising young men and women, and as such, it would be difficult to completely eliminate crime. Nevertheless, I can beat my chest and say that kidnapping is no longer a regular occurrence.

“My dear members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, we have achieved a lot from the last time we interacted. Most of the hoodlums were gunned down during exchange of fire with my policemen. We have also paid the supreme price, as 25 policemen lost their lives in the line of duty and in defence of the people of Anambra State ,” he said.

However, we do have quite a handful to tell you how very well we have done to bring down the level of crime in the State and win back the trust and confidence of the people.”