Men of the Nigerian Police Force, Army, Directorate of State Service,
DSS, Customs and other security agencies have taken over the premises
of the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku, Obi Chukwuka Okonjo and laid
siege to other parts of the town.
Also, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Commissioner of Police in the
State, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, Director of DSS, an Army chief and other top
officials of the government held an emergency security meeting in the
palace.
One of the sons of the kidnapped queen told Vanguard that the Finance
Minister, Prof Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was being expected to fly in from
Abuja.
We‘re not sleeping on the matter- Police Commissioner
Speaking to Vanguard on phone, the Police Commissioner, Mr. Aduba said the police were not sleeping on the matter.
He described the kidnap as a very sad development, saying that has been
one of our major problems in the state, but the police were equal to the
task.
He said he does not believe in talking too much, but in action,
saying the strategies employed by security agents to track down the
kidnappers was not for newspaper publication.
Commissioner Aduba, however, said the command would do its best to
secure the release of Prof Kamene Okonjo, adding that the terrain of the
state was helping the criminals in escaping security radar.
The commissioner, nevertheless, said the Command was already mopping
up unlawful and illegal arms within and outside the state to ensure a
crime-free ember months.
He said the police in the state recently burst inter-state kidnap
gang operating between Anambra and Delta states and arrested almost over
100 criminals, including suspected kidnappers, adding that the gunmen,
who kidnapped Prof Kamene Okonjo would be tracked down.
First impression
The first impression of any visitor to the Ogbe-Ofu palace is that the
one-storey building is in an isolated location. There is practically no
neigbour to ask questions about what happened in the palace, except for
those working or residing within the bastion.
In addition, the fence surrounding the compound is low and easy to
scale for intruders, which was exactly what the daredevil kidnappers
took advantage of.
Security agents cordon palace
Shortly after Vanguard arrived Monday morning and took photographs of
the palace and the workers, who oblivious of what happened, were fixing
interlocking tiles in the compound, the security agents arrived to
cordon off the palace.
They prevented visitors from entering the palace soon after and even
some community vigilance men that came with a vehicle, were prevented
from driving into the compound.
One of the children, who spoke to reporters said, “There was no
security when the kidnappers stormed the compound and nobody could dare
people who are armed with guns”.
Uduaghan, security chiefs relocate to Ogwashi-Uku
An aide to the governor told Vanguard at about 12.45 pm, “Yes, the
governor came visiting to the place. He came with the Police
Commissioner and other heads of security agencies in the state. They are
all here putting heads together, you know what happened, it is
embarrassing and we also heard from one of the children that the
Minister was likely to come”.
“We are not so sure, but the governor and others are monitoring the
situation, they are strategizing on how to get the kidnappers, but one
thing is ruled out, the boys are not going to get any ransom if that is
what they thought”, he added.
Kidnappers yet to contact family
A dependable source who confided in Vanguard, said, “The kidnappers
want money. As at this morning, they have not made any contact with the
family on ransom, but I am sure that they know that security agents are
on them”
VANGUARD NEWSPAPERS
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