Suspect handed over to police, citizens caution against compromise
BY ORIAKU IJELE
Stakeholders in Abia State, gladdened by the patriotic gestures of Mr Ugochukwu Orji, the Immigrations officer who turned down the N10m bribe offered by fleeing Enugu State-born native doctor, Levi Obieze, to spare his arrest, are set to honour him. The Daily Monitor on Saturday gathered that the people of Isialangwa have resolved to give honour to Mr Ugochukwu Orji, alongside the Governor of Abia State at a civic reception.
According to Hon Ginger Onwusibe, representing Isialangwa North &South Federal Constituency, they had sent a request to the Immigration Department for Officer Okeosisi Ugo to be released by his office to attend the event, he equally added that his air tickets and other logistics have been taken care of. In addition to this donations towards the wellbeing of the immigration officer had commenced with kindhearted citizens promising to gift the officer money.
The Immigration officer who hails from Obikabia in Isialangwa North LGA of Abia state is being celebrated for his integrity and honesty in discharging his duties.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos Command, has handed over a suspected ritualist and kidnapper to the Police in Lagos.
The suspect had been declared wanted by the Police in Enugu in connection with alleged kidnapping and ritual killing.
The Comptroller of Immigration, Lagos Command, Mr David Adebambo, handed over the suspect to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, on Friday in Ikeja.
The suspect fled from Enugu and took a night bus which arrived Mile 2, Lagos, around 10.00 a.m.
He, however, was apprehended at Gbaji security checkpoint on the Badagry-Seme expressway by men of NIS while attempting to flee the country.
The Comptroller General, NIS, Mrs Kemi Nandap, confirmed the arrest of the suspect in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the service (SPRO), Mr Akinsola Akinlabi, in Abuja.
She said that the suspect, a known traditionalist, was allegedly involved in the abduction of a 13-year-old girl on Tuesday, May 27.
According to her, the girl was kidnapped by three men while walking to farm with her father.
“She was later rescued by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force from a shrine allegedly linked to the suspect.
“The incident was first reported by a national daily on Wednesday, May 28.
“Acting on credible intelligence, officers of the NIS Lagos State Border Patrol Command apprehended the suspect at the Gbaji checkpoint on the Badagry-Seme Road while attempting to flee the country on a motorcycle.
“The suspect was found in possession of a National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) enrolment slip, which confirmed his identity.
“During preliminary questioning, he reportedly confessed to the crimes,” she said.
`In a related development, the Enugu State Government says the arrested suspected ritualist and kidnap kingpin, Obi-Levi Obieze, would face the full weight of the law, even as citizens continue to call on the authorities against any form of compromise.
The government also commended the vigilance of the officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service who apprehended Obieze along Badagry-Seme road.
This is contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Friday in Enugu.
Onyia disclosed that the suspect’s mansions at his Umumba Ndiagu in Ezeagu Council Area of the state had already been demolished by the authorities on Tuesday.
This, he said, was in line with extant laws of Enugu State regarding property linked to kidnapping.
“The Enugu State Government received with delight the news of the arrest of the fugitive suspected kidnap kingpin and ritualist, Levi Obieze, by the officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
“This arrest has further strengthened our hands in our bid to ensure that justice is served on all the persons involved in the gory incidents of abduction, kidnapping, and ritual killings linked to the suspect.
“As usual, the Enugu State Government has already demolished the property in his country home on Tuesday, May 27, in line with Section 315 (Second Amendment) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 30, Laws of Enugu State,” he said.
Onyia commended the vigilance of the community members, civilian and security operatives in the state for bursting the crime, saying it would not condone the acts of criminality under any guise.
“This administration will not condone any form of criminality in our communities under any guise.
“Therefore, this is also a call on community leaders, traditional rulers, Presidents-General of Town Unions, Neighbourhood Watch, among others, to be watchful and report such persons to government and security agencies.
“Those who cover up for such criminals will also be treated as accomplices,” he said.
