The Abia State Police Command has confirmed the death of a notorious robber-cum-kidnapper responsible for many high profile robbery and kidnapping incidents in the state and the neighbouring states .
A press statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Mr Geoffrey Ogbonna, on Thursday, in Umuahia , gave the name of the dreaded criminal as one Samuel Kalu alias “Obere”.
The statement said the slain criminal , who was arrested on May 27 at Okai Item in Bende Local Government Area following a tip-off , was responsible for the gruesome murder of Mbieri, Imo State-born US Marine, Chuks Okebata. The victims had reportedly visited his hometown in December 2016, when he was gruesomely murdered.
According to the statement, the criminal had also confessed to the killing of eight members of the Abia Vigilante Services (a.k.a Bakassi Boys) who were slaughtered early this year in Aba.
Police said the slain criminal died in a cross-fire following a shootout with his gang members while leading police detectives to their hideout. A police detective was wounded during the raid.
The statement further appealed to members of the public to report any person(s) with gunshot wounds to the nearest police station, as the criminals are currently on the run.
