Uneasy calm now reigns supreme at Obinnekele, Umuikuku, and Amatta in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, following the reported stealing of a 10-month-old baby boy, Chibuike Ojii, by a gang of armed hoodlums.
Vanguard investigations revealed that the four hoodlums stormed the seaside residence of the little boy’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ojii, at about 2am.
A source, who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, told Vanguard that the traumatized members of Ojii family, are natives of Amaoba, Owutu Edda, of Ebonyi State.
It was also gathered that soon after forcing themselves into the living room of Mr. and Mrs. Ojii, the hoodlums ordered the father at gun point to lie flat face-down.
“Having obeyed the command, the armed hoodlums made straight for the innocent baby who was sleeping at the time.
‘’On trying to leave with the baby, Mr. Ojii pounced on one of the marauders and a bitter struggle ensued,” the source recounted.
Continuing, he recalled that the hoodlum succeeded in extricating himself from the grip of Ojii and fired gunshots into the air to make good his escape.
He said further that a careful tracing of the motorcycle tyre used for operation, led to the home of one of the suspects who goes by a moniker, Snake.
Although Snake roundly denied any involvement in the crime, the villagers were said to have felt it was best to hand him over to the police for proper investigation.
When Vanguard called the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a deputy superintendent of police, he confirmed the story, adding that two suspects had so far been arrested in connection with the crime.
“A case of child stealing at Amatta, Ikeduru, was reported to the Police. Two suspects have so far been arrested and the police are on the trail of the other two that are now on the run,” the PPRO said. (Vanguard)
