The Imo State Police Command has rescued a traditional ruler of Ugwuaku autonomous community and a local government secretary from kidnappers’ den.

The police also arrested five persons for their role in the abduction of the monarch, Eze Igbojionu Emmanuel, and the Secretary of Okigwe LGA, Ndubueze Nwokoro.

The spokesperson for the command, Orlando Ikeokwu, paraded the suspects on Friday.

He said while the kidnappers demanded N5m ransom, N1.2m was paid.

He gave the names of the suspects as Celestine Agu, 27; Wisdom Sunday, 27; Godwin Obi, 22; Onyemauche Okpara, 29 and Chikwado Chukwu, 24.

He said,

“On April 23 at about 1930hrs, the traditional ruler of Ugwuaku Autonomous community, EZE IGBOJIONU EMMANUEL was kidnapped and his Blue colour Highlander taken away. However, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N5million as a result of which N1.2 million was paid, with the hoodlums demanding for more.

“Also, On the April 25, the gunmen abducted one NDUBUEZE NWKORO secretary to Okigwe Local government Council, both men were kidnapped in Okigwe Town.

“Moreover, through painstaking and discreet investigations, operatives of the command stormed the den of the kidnappers rescued the victims unhurt, and arrested five of the kidnappers.

“They will be charged to court accordingly.”