DSS Rescues Cosmas Maduka’s (Coscharis) Kidnapped Relative

The Department of State Services, DSS and Nigerian Army have rescued a motorcycle spare parts dealer, Pius Maduka, from suspected kidnappers. The kidnapper have also been apprehended in Orlu Local Government area of Imo State.

According to the Imo State Director of DSS, Mr. Alex Okeiyi, the victim was abducted by gunmen on 4th of July at Umudim Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State until he was rescued on July 14.

The kidnap suspects had demanded ransom from the victim, who is also a relation of a prominent automobile businessman, Cosmas Maduka of the Coscharis Group, and received N12 million before they were apprehended.

The ring leaders were Chigozie Ebere from Obowo local government of Imo state and Bartholomew Ugwu from Umunze in Orumba South Local Government Area of Bartholomew Ugwuwere paraded at the Anambra State headquarters of the Department State Services in Awka.

While the third suspect, Ikechukwu from Nwangele Local Government of Imo state was shot dead when he attempted to escape.

The suspects were paraded alongside their informant, Nnaemeka Nzekwe.

Mr Okeiyi said the combined team of the DSS and the Army swooped down on the gang in their hideout in Orlu, Imo state, rescued the victim, arrested the suspects and recovered a 607 Peugeot car used by the kidnap suspects for operation.

He added that the gang had demanded a ransom of N100 million from the victim’s family which was later reduced to N50 Million.

The family of the victim, according to Okeiyi, paid N12 million expecting the victim to be released but the hoodlums refused, insisting on the payment of the outstanding balance of N38 million when they were apprehended.

Confessing before newsmen, Chigozie Ebere, who claimed to be a trailer driver and in whose residence at Amaifeke, Orlu, Imo State, the victim was kept, said it was his third operation as a kidnapper. He disclosed that he was given N2 million for each of the three kidnapped persons kept in his house.
Ebere said that he met the leader of the gang, Obele, an Okada rider, when he was in Umuahia, Abia State, from where they began the business of kidnapping.
The other member of the gang, Bartholomew Ugwu, said he was paid N300,000 from the amount paid by the Maduka family, adding that gang leader Obele even pursued him with a gun and collected the money.
He revealed that one of the victims was shot by Obele, apparently as he attempted to escape.