Police in Imo State yesterday paraded a 16-year-old boy, Onyedikachi Iyaka, who was arrested for gunrunning. During his parade, Governor Rochas Okorocha said that all shades of criminals had laid siege to Imo State. The governor, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Chief George Eche, presented commendation awards to 28 police personnel for creditable performance in crime fighting. According to the SSG, owing to the activities of kidnappers and armed robbers, parents are apprehensive over the safety of their wards whenever they leave the house.

He said: “These days, people spend so much to install iron doors and burglary protection when building houses, all because of robbers and kidnappers. Only yesterday, while praying at home, my family thanked God for the safe return of our son back to school.”

Earlier, the state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, disclosed that the command apprehended Iyaka, who hails from Umuchokwu Ukwu village in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area with 400 rounds of chained General Purpose ammunition, 1,016 rounds of AK47 live ammunition, one AK47 empty magazine, one K2 empty magazine, one Army camouflage bullet-proof vest, one blue police raincoat, one green beret cap and one empty ammunition box. Ezike said the Iyaka was arrested at Egbelu Awaka in Owerri North Local Government Area on Friday, following a tipoff. The commissioner also paraded a 25-year-old man, Kingsley Alaukwu, from Umuoso Mgbuishi in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area for the kidnap and murder of Gabriel Alaukwu (67) and 38-year-old Iniobong Sunday who were buried in a shallow grave after a ransom of N100,000 was paid. The police also declared Ugochukwu Ekezie and Emeka Onuegbu wanted in connection with the kidnap and murder of the two persons.

Others paraded were Kabiru Garba (26) from Gumel in Jigawa State for the kidnap of Tochukwu Okeke and Ekemezie Okeke; and 32 year old Uche Ikewelugo of Awka, Anambra state for the kidnap and robbery on News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) chief correspondent in Imo, Evangeline Chidi Opara.Ezike presented commendation awards to 26 policemen which included 2 women for their gallantry, commitment,and uncommon zeal to solving the kidnap and murder of late Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Onunkwo in five days.