The State Security Services (SSS) in Ebonyi State has intercepted a list of people to be kidnapped in the South-East state.

The State Director SSS, Lasaaan Babaah, disclosed this to newsmen yesterday in Abakaliki, the state capital. He said that the service recovered the list from suspected kidnappers of Mr. Kennedy Ogba, in-law to former Governor Sam Egwu. The list, according to Babaah, contained the names of some prominent politicians in the state, among others.

The SSS chief said: “Mr. Kennedy Ogba, in-law to former Governor Sam Egwu, former Chairman, Ohaukwu Local Government Area, who was also a one-time Majority Leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly and was kidnapped at Nsurakpa village by three armed men and we want to inform you that Kennedy Ogba was released on Friday.

“Mr. Ogba was released after the command had arrested the kidnappers when they demanded for N2 million ransom and the money was taken to them and in attempt to collect the money, we arrested them and recovered the money.

“When they attempted to collect the money, they were arrested and the two arrested persons are Chukwuemeka Nwafor, a very notorious herbalist, armed robber and kidnapper. We tried to arrest him last year but he escaped but today luck ran out on him. The second suspect arrested is Anayo Kalu from Abia State.

“One worrisome aspect of this incident is that when these hoodlums were arrested, we discovered a list containing the names of high profile persons including politicians, local government chairman, businessmen and women, those in the private sector including children they targeted to kidnap this year for ransom.

“Their aim is to confuse the situation because this is election year, while people will tend to believe that the kidnapping is related to election, theirs is for criminal gain. We have been able to uncover this plot and we believe that we will have respite in the state now.”

Babaah disclosed that two suspects sustained various degrees of injuries during a gun battle with the security operatives and are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki. He assured that efforts are being made to track down and arrest some members of the gang who escaped during the attempt to arrest them.

•Photo shows Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi

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