Security operatives have arrested a group of local vigilantes in Ukwulu, a town in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, for alleged kidnapping.
The Point gathered that the alleged criminal activities of the vigilante group were uncovered through a tip given by a whistleblower.
The hideout of the vigilante group in Ukwulu town was raided by Agunechemba outfit recently and a member of the group was banned while others escaped.
The suspect identified as Chinedu, a member of vigilante group in Ukwulu community, confessed in a video shared by the security outfit, to being involved in kidnapping business alongside his colleagues to support their meagre salaries.
He claimed their fleeing group leader, identified as Oliver, sold the idea to them when their stipends were not forthcoming.
Before they allegedly took to kidnapping, Chinedu revealed that the vigilante had successfully chased out suspected kidnappers who are Fulani people out of the community bush.
He said the traditional ruler of the community had been trying his best in ensuring that their stipends were paid.
However, Chinedu explained how Oliver insisted that they must augment the salaries by kidnapping people and collecting ransom from them.
According to the suspect, one of their victims is a Catholic priest in Anambra, adding that he was released after some millions of naira were paid.
He blamed Oliver for his woes, saying, “Oliver caused this. Please, forgive me. He said since our salary was not forthcoming, we should start kidnapping people to raise ransom and take care of ourselves and families.
“I have never collected any of the money we got. It was Oliver that used to collect them. We kidnapped a Reverend Father in December last year and he was later released after Oliver collected some millions from him.”
Anambra has been battling increasing security challenges in the past few months ranging from abduction for ransom, ritual killings, and assassination.
The state government, following public outcry that greeted the onslaught, announced a whistleblowing policy to tackle insecurity in the state.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the state launched Agunechemba, a security outfit to flush out criminals in the state. The governor also pledged the sum of N5million for whistleblowers.