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TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE ON THE30^TH  DAY OF JUNE, 2009

RE-  CASE OF ARMED ROBBERY/KIDNAPPING AND MURDER

SUSPECTS:

1.          Innocent Orji ‘M’ Alias ‘B’ Stone General”

2.          Ama Onu ‘M’

Gentlemen of the Press

I am pleased to address you this afternoon on one of the significant successes of the Nigeria Police in recent times.

You will recall that on 17^th March, 2007, a gang of armed robbers, under the disguise of the outlawed Movement for Actualization for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) came to Nnewi, robbed and kidnapped two Chinese Nationals namely Nia Guigiang Eric, Feng Shenyi and a Nigerian named Sylvester Unigwe who were employees of Innoson Group of Companies, Nnewi.  The bandits who were armed with offensive weapons took their victims to an unknown destination where they held them captive demanding for ransom of two hundred million naira from Innoson Group of Companies before they could be released.

Soon after I assumed office as Inspector-General of Police, specifically in July 2007, I ordered a massive raid on the enclave of the bandits at Ekoli Edda in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.  In the operation, two of the hostages, a Chinese national Nia Guigiang Eric and a Nigeria Sylvester Unigwe were rescued.  Forty three suspects were arrested, interrogated and charged to court.

Regrettably, the kingpin of the gang, Innocent Orji, alias ‘B’ Stone General” escaped into the thick jungle with some members of his gang and one of the Chinese hostages named Feng Shenyi.  On page 240 of my latest book “Policing Nigeria in a Democracy” I articulated some facts concerning this episode in passing, as one of the challenges the Nigeria Police faces in policing a democracy.

Since 2007, the Nigeria Police has been on the man-hunt for “General” Innocent Orji and his notorious gang.   The long arm of the law has finally caught up with this notorious criminal in fake military regalia and some members of his gang.  Further investigation showed that Innocent Orji and members of his gang killed the missing Chinese, Feng Shenyi and buried him at Owutu Edda in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.   The Police have been able to discover the grave and exhumed the body.  Investigation also showed that this vicious gang was responsible for the attack and arson on Nnewi Central Police Station in which two Policemen were killed.  They have also confessed to the kidnap of a prominent Nnewi-based businessman and the gruesome murder of several Nigerian citizens.  They have been involved in series of kidnap and armed robbery cases in Anambra and in the South East.  

It is also sad to note that the activities of this 29-man gang of vicious armed robbers have created a feeling of insecurity in the minds of citizens.  They have been operating with 8 G.3 rifles, thousands of ammunition, a pistol and two motorcycles.

Now that their kingpin has been arrested, let me reassure the general public that the Police is fully mobilized to round up the remaining members of the gang and bring them to justice.

I want to thank patriotic Nigerians who gave useful information that led to the arrest of these criminals.

Thank you and God bless.