An unnamed policeman reported to have led the gang that abducted Nollywood actress and Special Assistant on Public Affairs to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Miss Nkiru Sylvanus last month, has been arrested.
According to the Police, the policeman is attached to the Squadron 19 of the Mobile Police Force in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, but he was arrested in Owerri after losing out in a shootout with a combined team of the Army and the State Security Service (SSS).
His gang, notorious for terrorizing states such as Abia, Imo and River States, stalked the actress to a location in a tinted Sports Utility Jeep before taking her hostage.
Apprehending him had been difficult, as he was recruiting and training criminals into the gang and using his Police connections to outsmart security checks and cover his tracks.
The suspect, a native of Assa in the Ohaji/Egbema Council Area of Imo State, has already admitted to committing the crime, in addition to many other cases of kidnap.
Police sources said he was in possession of the sum of N3.5m when he was arrested, and the money is thought to be part of the N8m ransom received before freeing the actress.
The Director of Operations at SSS in Imo State has already confirmed the arrest and detention of the police officer.
