The hit man of Abia kidnap kingpin, Obioma Nwankwo a.k.a. Osisikankwu and 448 other suspects have been arrested. Osisikankwu had, in an interview he allegedly granted a national daily (not Daily Sun) last week, claimed that none of his 3,000 members had been located and arrested, saying those arrested by soldiers were innocent persons.

But dismissing the claim with wave of the hand while addressing a group of select journalists in his office at the army camp at Asa High School in Ukwa West Local Government, Maj. Gen. Sarkin Yaki Bello said the army had been meticulous in its operations in Abia, adding that no innocent citizen had been made to suffer the crime of the hoodlums.

He said one of the hit men of Osisikankwu had been arrested and that very soon, the kingpin himself would be apprehended. Bello said the army does not believe in Osisikankwu and his antics, adding that the soldiers were drafted to Aba to restore peace to the city and not to join issues with criminals.

Earlier, while taking newsmen round the camp to inspect some recovered vehicles, the Assistant Director, Public Relations of 82 Division, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa said since the army began operations in Abia on September 28, a total number of 449 suspected kidnappers had been arrested from different locations in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers states. He stated that out of the suspects, 79 were transferred to State Security Services (SSS), Abia State command for further investigation and possible prosecution. He also said after investigations, 171 of the suspects, who were not found culpable, were released.

Musa further said presently, 183 suspects were in detention, and after thorough investigation those found not liable would be released while the rest would be transferred to SSS for further action. Two men in possession of 11 bags of Indian hemp who were also arrested by soldiers were handed over to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The 82 Div image maker reeled out further achievements of the JTF in Abia which include restoration of public confidence in the security forces; the rescue of 15 children of Abayi International School and four female corps members; recovery of assorted arms and ammunition from different locations in Ugwuati, Umuezi and Abala evil forest; destruction of many local arms manufacturing factories at Abala evil forest and the recovery of 24 vehicles of different brands belonging to kidnap victims including the recovery last Thursday of the school bus conveying the 15 rescued children to school,

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/nov/15/national-15-11-2010-011.htm