Residents of Uratta in the Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State has pulled down the mansion of a suspected kidnap kingpin fingered in the abduction of the wife of the traditional ruler of the community, Ugoeze Comfort Okoro.

WuzupNigeria reports that 81-year-old Comfort Okoro died in the custody of the suspected kidnapper, one Okechukwu Uche, after her family had allegedly paid an initial N4m ransom

Uche, who is awaiting trial at Owerri correctional prison, was said to have masterminded the octogenarian’s kidnap from prison.

The deceased was the mother-in-law to the Ikenna Elezieanya, member representing Owerri federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

Police spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, on Wednesday said that the police were not responsible for the demolition of the mansion of the lead suspect.

Ikeokwu said that the police rounded up other suspects while they want to collect the second tranche of the ransom.

He said that the arrested suspects confessed that Uche, who is in prison for another crime, was their ring leader.

Ikeokwu said that police laid in ambush and arrested the suspects.

He said that two rifles belonging to the police which were snatched last year were recovered from the suspects.

Ikeokwu said,

“Police did not demolish the house of the lead suspect but other suspects who were arrested by the police confessed that the person in prison custody is their ring leader.

“We recovered two of our rifles that were snatched last time from the suspects. Part of the ransom the suspects received from the victim’s family has been recovered by the police. We will go to court to ask for Okechukwu Uche to be reproduced for re-arraignment .”

James Madugba, who is the Public Relations Officer of the state prison command, said the police knew what to do if they wanted Uche to be reproduced in court.