OPERATIVES of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Imo State Police Command have made fresh arrests in connection with a kidnapping syndicate, which was smashed last week.

The dreaded gang, which was smashed by the FSARS operatives last week in a gun duel, was headed by a police corporal, Collins Ezinwa, popular known as E-money who absconded from police duty.

In carrying out their operations, the gang of kidnappers made use of a police special number plate to beat security.

While E-money and two others lost their lives during the shootout, four other members of the gang were captured alive by the FSARS detectives led by the commander, Godfrey Victor, a Superintendent of Police.

Briefing newsmen on the latest breakthrough regarding the matter, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, disclosed that FSARS operatives of the command, acting on intelligence, smashed another hideout of the gang in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, made arrests and recovered cars snatched from kidnapped victims.

Enwerem said the operation was led by Victor in the midnight and was strategically coordinated by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr.Chris Ezike.

According to him, the smashing of the Port Harcourt hideout of the gang became imperative after FSARS had burst the kidnappers’ dens in Ohaji/Egbema and Atta in Imo State, arrested one suspect and recovered arms and ammunition.

The police spokesperson said, “In continuation of arrests of the gang members of slain Collins Ezinwa popularly known as E-money, FSARS operatives of the Imo State Police Command have smashed another of their hideout in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“The Port Harcourt operation was due to furtherance of investigation and credible intelligence information by our men. Four suspects were arrested while four vehicles snatched from their victims were recovered.

“The cars are Lexus 350 jeep with number plate, ABJ 30AH, a Pathfinder jeep without a registration number, a RaV4 jeep with number plate, ABJ 38 AH and Camry vehicle with number plate, ABU 37 AE.”

Enwerem said that the gang repainted one of the cars and changed the number plate before carrying out operations.

The police spokesperson said that the arrested suspects were assisting the police by volunteering information on how their fleeing gang members could be apprehended.

Enwerem, who said Ezike was elated by the breakthrough made so far on the matter, disclosed that the disarmament of the gang was a major breakthrough in crime prevention and fighting in the state.