The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the military during the second quarters, on Thursday in Abuja.

Kangye identified the suspects as Emeka Ede, Okwudili Aja and Onyebuchi Aja.

He said the raid was conducted in conjunction with DSS operatives at the residence of the suspected kidnappers/ESN criminals on Wednesday.

“Intelligence report has it that the suspects masterminded the kidnapping of the NDLEA Commander of Anambra State Command on June 12.

“Items recovered from them were assorted weapons and a large cache of ammunition as well as some illicit drugs.

READ ALSO: Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, is dead

“The recovered items are in the custody of troops while suspects are currently undergoing interrogation,” he said.

Kangye said the troops had also, in offensive operations from June 28 to June 30, made contact with terrorists in Owerri West and Ihiala local government areas of Imo and Anambra states respectively.

He said that 21 suspected illicit drug dealers were apprehended while arms, ammunition, explosives making materials, vehicles, motorcycles and mobile phones were recovered from them.

He added that troops on June 26, acting on credible intelligence, nabbed two suspects at a Point of Sale (POS) belonging to an IPOB/ESN sponsor in Ihiala local government area of Anambra.

According to him, troops recovered eight mobile phones, transaction booklets and the sum of N1.5 million from them.

“The suspects are currently undergoing interrogations,” he added.

Source: NAN

The post How suspected kidnappers of NDLEA commander were arrested –DHQ appeared first on Frontpageng.

Odo told newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday that the appointment of SSAs on Agriculture, specifically on Garden Egg, Yam and Pepper was a strategic move.

He said that the appointment was meant to boost production of these crops in large quantity to satisfy local demands and for export.

The chairman said that the local government was good in growing these crops and had great comparative advantage, hence the need to engage individuals who had the competence to develop that aspect of agriculture.

He said, “Their appointments are to ensure that local farmers receive adequate attention, needed resources, support and expertise to enhance production, improve market access and increase income for farmers.

READ ALSO: Tinubu sacks Nnamdi Azikiwe University Council, V-C, Registrar

“In essence, the appointment, which is wrongly misunderstood by disgruntled individuals, bad losers and opposition, reinforces my determination to creating a thriving local economy based on the strength and potentials of Igbo-Etiti’s agricultural landscape.”

The chairman also said that the decision was well thought out, aimed at enhancing productivity, job creation, and to uplift farmers and communities for both short-term and long-term development goals.

He urged the public to disregard any online or offline comment aimed at discrediting his laudable and visionary efforts to reposition and set Igbo-Etiti council area on the path of massive food production and sustainable development.

Meanwhile, a financial expert, Mr Kalu Aja, has commended the chairman for the appointment.

According to Aja, garden eggs has 50 per cent Return on Investment, which many investments could not offer.

Reacting to the appointment in his X handle, Aja said that garden egg was an economically important crop in the South-East and used as a substitute for kola.

”Garden egg is probably the third most consumed fruity vegetable in Nigeria and Ghana, after pepper and tomatoes.

“The profitability of garden egg farming is very high with more than 50 per cent return on investment,” he said.

Source: NAN

The post Why I appointed SSA on garden egg, yam, pepper –LG chair appeared first on Frontpageng.

The victim, Mr Emmanuel Igwe, an Assistant Electoral Officer, AEO, of INEC, was on Sunday, June 18, killed by suspected kidnappers operating along the Ishiagu/Mpu road and abducted his wife.

The police also arrested no fewer than eight members of the criminal gang.

Mr Emmanuel Aja, Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, who confirmed the arrest and killing of three of the suspects to newsmen on Sunday in Abakaliki, noted that the hoodlums were busted at their hideout in Lokpanta, Umunochi Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State.

He commended men of the Nigeria police for their courage and gallantry and pledged that the council would not hesitate in ridding the area of criminals.

He said that the police had launched a manhunt to capture the fleeing suspects, assuring that all the suspects would be arrested and brought to justice.

“The successful operation of the Special Squad of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ebonyi Command of the Nigeria Police led to the arrest of no fewer than eight suspected killers of the INEC staff while three of the suspects were neutralised in the operation.

“The killers, suspected to be kidnappers who also abducted their victim’s wife, were arrested at their hideout in a forest at Lokpanta in Abia State on Saturday, June 24.

“Efforts are being intensified to apprehend the leader of the criminal gang, nicknamed ‘Alhaji’, who fled during the gun duel between the gang and the police.

“The suspected kidnappers are allegedly responsible for the various kidnappings and other criminal activities in the council area,” Aja said.

The chairman, who expressed his administration’s commitment to rid the local government area of crimes, called on the people of the area to always volunteer useful information to the police on activities of hoodlums in their various areas.

“Security is everyone’s business, when you see something, say something because in that way, we will be several steps ahead of the criminals,” he added.

Confirming the development, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ebonyi command, said the abducted woman was rescued unhurt in a thick forest in Abia State.

“Yes, the woman, Mrs Charity Igwe, who was kidnapped while her husband was killed has regained freedom.

“She was rescued in a forest at Lonkpanta community in Abia State and she is receiving medical treatment in a hospital.

“Investigation is still ongoing to fish out everyone in connection with the crime.”

The post Police kill three suspected killers of INEC staff, rescue wife appeared first on Frontpageng.