Army officer among Akunyili’s abductors
Written by Tony Edike
Saturday, 14 March 2009

[b]ENUGU—THE Enugu State Police Command yesterday confirmed the arrest of an officer of the Nigerian Army, Uhallah Chinedu alias “Onye Army”, who was among those that kidnapped Dr. Francis Edemobi, younger brother of the Information Minister, Professor Dora Akunyili in December last year.
The police said the suspect was arrested by the military authorities shortly after the incident late last year after which he was court-marshaled, tried and dismissed from the army having confessed to the crime of kidnapping the said Edemobi.[/b]He was formally handed over to the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the State Police Command on Wednesday by the military authorities for necessary action.

Chinedu’s arrest has however introduced another dimension to the kidnap saga since he reportedly confessed to have actively participated in the crime but was said to have denied knowing Chief Ignatius Nnubia, the oil magnate who was arrested along with two members of his staff by the police and are currently facing trial over the matter.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amarizu, who confirmed to Vanguard the hand over of “Onye Army” to the police command, said the suspect had been on the wanted list of the police, adding that he was apprehended by the military which court-marshaled him according to the military tradition.

He said that having been found guilty by the military, Onye Army was according dismissed from the force to pave the way for his trial as “a civilian” in a normal court of law.

According to the PPRO, the suspect was handed over to the SARS which has been handling the matter, adding that the suspect would soon be arraigned in court.

Amarizu confirmed that Onye Army has actually confessed to the crime, adding that he made useful revelations that would help the police to determine the involvement or otherwise of those being tried in connection with the kidnap of Edemobi.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/30965/42/

Perhaps it's time to make kidnapping a federal offense that carries death penalty.