Nigerian army troops under the auspices of Operation Crocodile Smile have killed suspected kinapping kingpins that have been terrorizing the South East for a long time.

A statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col Sani Usman said the kidnappers met their waterloo when troops carried out a clearance of their camps in Imo State. Col Usman said,

“Troops of 34 Field Artillery Brigade involved in field training exercise of Operation Crocodile Smile conducted raid on 2 major kidnappers camps belonging to “De-Well” and “De-Gbam” cultists groups in Umoubi and Umudike forests, both in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State on Thursday 8th September 2016.

“During the raid one Chigozie aka “Chi boy”, a notorious kingpin of one of the cult groups lost his life, while another member was later discovered dead in the forest. “Quite a number of the gang members were believed to have escaped with gun shot wounds.

“The troops recovered quite a number of military uniforms and mobile telephones and other household items before destroying the camps to prevent the cultists regrouping in the area.

“They have continued to comb the general area for other members of the kidnapping syndicate.”