The State Security Service SSS in Ebonyi Statehas arrested two alleged kidnappers of the former deputy leader of the State House of Assembly, Kennedy Ogba.

Ogba was kidnapped on February 7 at Nsurakpa village in Ohaukwu local government area by three armed men who blindfolded him and kept him in a shrine, demading a ransom of N2 million for his release.

The state director of the SSS, Laasan Baba, while parading the suspects, said the alleged kidnappers were arrested on Friday by his officers at Ndubia local government when they came to collect the N2 million ransom money they had demanded.

“The suspects include Chukwuemeka Nwafor, a notorious herbalist, armed robber and kidnapper from Abaomege, Ebonyi, State and Anayo Kalu from Abia. When they were arrested, we found a list of high profile persons including politicians, local government chairmen, businessmen, women, children among others, all pencilled for kidnap this year,” he said.

He said that the aim of the kidnappers was to cause confusion in the state as elections were approaching, adding “we have been able to uncover this plot and I believe strongly that there would now be respite in the state.”

The SSS director said that some members of the gang escaped during the operation but promised that efforts would be intensified to arrest and prosecute them.

“The two suspects in our custody sustained various degrees of injuries during the gun battle with our officers. They are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki,” Baba added.

But speaking with newsmen, one of the suspects, Nwafor, denied involvement in the act. He said that he was a motorcyclist operator going about his normal business when he was arrested.