The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Suspected kidnappers

  • Suspected kidnappers kill ex-councillor

    •After collecting N.5m ransom      •Kidnap kingpin, others arrested

    SUSPECTED kidnappers, at the weekend in Okurekpo, Ethiope East Local Government of Delta State, allegedly killed a former councillor, Onoakpoma Onose.

    The abductors shot dead the victim after collecting N500,000  ransom from his family.

    The kidnappers’ leader, Mr. Omote Eboh and others have been arrested and are in police custody. Two others are on the run.

    The Nation learnt the body had been recovered by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the police command.

    It was gathered some of the suspects, said to have hailed from Eku, Okurekpo and Oviorie communities in Ethiope East, have been arrested. Two other are on the run, but one of their wives has been nabbed.

    A source, who preferred anonymity, said a kidnap kingpin, Mr. Eboh, had robbed persons on Eku/Warri road before Onoakpoma was kidnapped.

    The source said before he was killed, a search was organised for two days at Okurekpo forest, coordinated by the member representing Ethiope East, Evans Ivwurie.

    Onoakpoma’s body was later found by security operatives.

    He said Onoakpoma, before his death, served in Ethiope East Legislative Council as a councillor representing one of the Abraka wards, adding that his body had been deposited at Eku Baptist Hospital mortuary.

    Police spokesman could not be reached on the phone, but a senior officer confirmed the incident.

    He said the suspects have been arrested.

     

     

  • Police kill five suspected kidnappers in Taraba

    The Police in Taraba State said yesterday they  gunned down five suspected kidnappers in Garba-Chede, Gassol Local Government Area of the state.

    The spokesman of the command, ASP David Misal, told reporters in Jalingo that the suspects were shot by the police during an exchange of gunfire following a failed attempt to kidnap one Alhaji Yakubu Atiku, a resident of the area.

    He said the police responded swiftly to a distress call from the area and in the ensuing exchange of fire with the bandits, “five members of the gang were shot dead while others escaped with bullet wounds,” he said.

    The police spokesman said AK47 rifle, one English pump action, two single barrel guns, 16 cartridges, three expended 7.62mm ammunition, two expended cartridges and assorted charms were recovered from the suspects.

  • Police arrest suspected kidnappers in Oyo

    The police have arrested suspected kidnappers terrorising motorists on Igboho-Igbeti Road and other parts of Oke-Ogun in Oyo State, it was learnt yesterday.

    The Nation gathered that the suspects were nabbed by members of a local vigilance group and policemen deployed in the area.

    The suspected kidnappers last week abducted passengers on the road. They were said to have demanded ransom from the victims’ families.

    There had been reports of kidnapping on the road before then.

    The incident prompted the police to swing into action, working with vigilance group members.

    Confirming the arrest yesterday, police spokesman Adekunle Ajisebutu said he could not confirm the number of the suspects.

    He said the commissioner of police has ordered a 24-hour patrol of Igboho-Igbeti Road, adding that people are now safe.

    The Chairman, Oorelope Local Government, Mr. Samuel Okunlade, said the situation had been brought under control by security agents and other stakeholders.

     

  • Gunmen kidnap ex-councillor in Akwa Ibom

    Gunmen kidnap ex-councillor in Akwa Ibom

    Suspected kidnappers have abducted Idongesit Silas Udokang, a former councillor in Ward 10, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    It was learnt that the hoodlums abducted Udonkang, popularly called ‘Ijebu,’ from Edem Akai, while he was visiting his girlfriend in neighbouring Obon Ebot, also in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.

    “The hoodlums stormed the woman’s compound and took the former Councillor away at gunpoint.

    “They have contacted the family and demanded N1 million,” a family source told The Nation.

    He explained that the neigbouring villages, including Udianga Enem, Abak Obong, Okoyo, Ikot Mkporikpo, Otoro, Uruk Ata 11, Ikot Udobong and Ikpe, have become cultists’ den following collapse of “Operation Purge”, a Joint Task Force (JTF) launched by the police command, to dislodge the hoodlums.

    “They broke into two compounds yesterday and carted people’s belongings in the wee hours of the night in Udianga Enem village, forcing people to escape into Churches”, he lamented, adding that “some policemen posted on routine surveillance are now on the Ikot Mkporikpo and Ikot Nya portion of the Etim Ekpo-Iwukem highway, to extort monies from motorists”.

    Police spokesman Elkana Bala, a deputy superintendent (DSP), said the new spokesman will issue a statement on it.

    “Right now, I have been posted to Eket to stay there briefly before returning to headquarters in Abuja,” he said.

    Police Commissioner Samuel Ogunjemilusi last week lamented the deplorable security situation in Etim Ekpo.

    Ogunjemilusi urged officers and men to form security cordon around the troubled areas in order to safeguard lives and properties.

     

  • Suspected kidnappers kill FRSC official

    Suspected kidnappers kill FRSC official

    Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has confirmed the killing of a marshal by suspected kidnappers on Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

    Sources told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the attack occurred yesterday at Sabo-Wuse along Niger axis of the highway.

    NAN learnt that the deceased was travelling in a commercial bus with other passengers when the hoodlums struck, about 6:30 am.

    The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, who confirmed the incident to NAN, said two marshals were abducted by gunmen.

    He identified the deceased as Ardo Njiga, a Marshal Inspector 1, and one of those kidnapped as Garba Bello, a senior road marshal assistant.

    Kazeem said the identity of the third victim was yet to be ascertained.

    “The marshals took permission to be with their families in Kaduna last weekend, and were on their way back to Abuja when the attack occurred this morning.

    “Njiga was killed on the scene. Garba and the third marshal were taken to an unknown destination with other occupants of the bus.

    “The matter is with security agencies. We hope our men will be rescued,” he said.

    The Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, expressed sadness at the incident and commiserated with the victims’ families.

    Kazeem quoted him as calling for calm.

    The latest incident occurred two months after gunmen invaded Tsafe Command of the FRSC in Zamfara State, killing an official and abducting another.

     

  • Over a thousand kidnap suspects on police net, says IGP

    Over a thousand kidnap suspects on police net, says IGP

    There are over a thousand suspected kidnappers in detention across the country, Inspector-Generalof Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris said Thursday.

    He disclosed this during an interview with reporters shortly after he visited the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu at his palace.

    According to Idris, the police were winning the war, just as he called for the establishment of special court and the limitation of trial time for suspected kidnappers.

    He said: “We are addressing the issue of kidnapping across the country. On the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, we paraded more than 50 last week and today (Thursday), more suspects were paraded in Kaduna.

    “Like I suggested in other fora, we should have a change. There should be a law creating a special court for kidnapping. Secondly, the period for trial should be shortened so that within a month or two, people are sentenced.

    “At the moment, we have over a thousand suspected kidnappers in our custody nationwide. I believe we are winning the war and if these adjustments are made, kidnapping would be a thing of past.
    Asked why the military seemed to have taken over internal security role , Idris said it was not for the police to comment on the issue.

    He said: “Every country gets the police they deserve. It is not an issue for the police to comment on. I leave that for the people to decide.

    “I can tell you that we are prepared for 2019 elections. More Area Commands, Mobile Squadron and units would be created across the country so that we can be closer to the people. All we are appealing is for the passage of the Police Trust Fund Bill.”

  • Police parade 40 suspected kidnappers, others along Abuja-Kaduna highway

    Police parade 40 suspected kidnappers, others along Abuja-Kaduna highway

    The Nigeria Police on Thursday paraded another 40 suspected kidnappers and other criminals along Kaduna-Abuja highway.

    The Thursday’s parade brings to 72 the number of suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and others nabbed on the highway within this week.

    The suspects were arrested at various villages along the highway, where they have their operational bases and camps.

    Parading the suspects at Rijana village, Kachia local government area of Kaduna State along the highway, the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood attributed the arrest of the suspects to the launch of ‘Operation Absolute Sanity’ by the Inspector General of Police  (IGP) Ibrahim Idris.

    The force spokesman said the Commander of Operation Sanity and his personnel have not rested on their oars, as they arrested 40 suspects in addition the 32 paraded on Monday 31st July, 2017.

    CSP Jimoh disclosed that the police has been able to penetrate the kidnappers and locate their camps, even as he said some of their captives were rescued in the process.

    He said the police operatives have taken over the bushes on the highway and confirmed that efforts have intensified to arrest the sponsors of the group who are at large.

    According to him, “we have 40 suspects before us. These 40 suspects were arrested in the acts. They operate in different camps led by one, Ali Bello alias Tsonge. He is the Grand Commander of all the kidnappers you are seeing here. We also have Goma Shehu, alias Nama Gogo. Shehu is a notorious leader of kidnap for ransom gang that has been operating and terrorising passengers along Kaduna-Abuja highway way.

    “We also have another gang leader by name, Mohammed Mujua. Others include Danladi Hassan, Mohammed Abubakar, Egwu Ogiri, and Emmanuel Awobi among others”, he said.

    Items recovered from the suspects, include 3 double barrel guns, 2 single barrel guns, one assault rifle mounted with telescope, one locally made pistol revolver with 9.62 ammunition, pump action riffle, revolver, locally made 5MG, 30 live cartridges, assorted ammunitions, two magazines and assorted charms.

    Other are five laptops, three IPads, several mobile telephone handsets, jewelries, wristwatches and others.

    The force spokesman however assured those travelling on the highway of their safety and equally called on villagers and community leaders in crime prone areas to continue to collaborate with the police and other security agencies to rid criminals from their localities.

    Meanwhile, the suspects interviewed by the newsmen confessed to the crimes. While the gang armourer, Mohammed Mujua demonstrated how he services faulty rifles for the gangs.

     

  • Suspected kidnappers, car snatchers paraded in Abuja

    Suspected kidnappers, car snatchers paraded in Abuja

    The police in Abuja yesterday paraded Uche Obiora, Michael Ishaku, Raphel Daudu, and Mohammed Sanusi Haruna for allegedly kidnapping Veronica Otogo and Bisola Mohammed at Banex area on January 27.
    The ladies were dispossessed of their car.
    One AK 49 riffle, 59 live ammunitions and an operational vehicle of the gang was recovered from the suspects.
    Addressing reporters on their operations, force spokesman Jimoh Moshood said the ladies were kidnapped on their way to a birthday party.
    “Their operational vehicle – a Mazda (SNK 891 TM) was used to block the victim’s car around Banex area. They were held for nine days.
    “The suspects confessed to the crime and admitted to have collected N1 million ransom before releasing victims.
    “They would be charged to court after investigations,” Moshood said.
    He added that investigation is being intensified to arrest other members of the syndicate.
    Other suspects paraded for car snatching, unlawful possession of firearms and other criminal activities are Uche Maxcillenous, John Jumare, Ibrahim Mohammed, Surajo Yakubu and Danlami Musa.

  • Police arrest seven suspected kidnappers of ex-minister

    Police arrest seven suspected kidnappers of ex-minister

    The Police have arrested seven suspected kidnappers of a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Bagudu Hirse.
    The suspects are: Dominic Nwakpa (aka Alhaji), gang leader Ifeanyi Chukwu, second-in-command Balat Paul (30), driver and principal suspect Ibrahim Samuel (IB) 27.
    Others are: Jatau Peter (29), a dismissed police man, Afini Paul, younger sister to the driver and owner of the house, where kidnapped victims were kept and Clinton Abere, a principal suspect.
    The Force spokesman and Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Don Awunah, said yesterday this while presenting the suspects to reporters in Abuja.
    Awunah said items recovered from the suspects included two English made Pump Action Guns, 131 rounds of AK 47 ammunition, police camouflage uniform and two military face caps.
    Others are: two operational vehicles, one cell phone used for negotiation and collection of ransom, a red face mask, anti-car tracking device and one black criminal charm jacket, he said.
    He said the gang was smashed with the arrest of Nwakpa, who is the gang leader in Lagos State. Four other principal suspects were arrested in Kaduna.
    Awunah said Chukwu confessed to be the second-in-command in the operation that led to the kidnapping of the ambassador and many other kidnappings within and outside Kaduna, Abia, Imo, Rivers, and Delta states.
    He added that the suspects, upon interrogation, volunteered confessional statements admitting kidnapping Hirse in Kaduna on November 20, 2016 and releasing him after collecting ransom.
    ‘’The same gang confessed to the kidnap of Dr. Abdulmalik Durunguwa and his wife at their residence at different intervals in Kaduna,” he said.
    The spokesman said the gang was also responsible for the kidnapping of a member of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Mr. Ibrahim Samaila on August 26, 2016 in Kaduna.
    “All the seven suspects, while undergoing interrogation, confessed and admitted to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of the crimes,” he said.
    He added that the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.
    Awunah said the police arrested two suspected kidnappers and armed robbers in Kaduna on January 1.
    The suspects are; Maisamari Dan Katsina, gang leader and ex-Sergeant Bulus Jatau, a dismissed policeman.
    He said items recovered from them included, one pump Action gun no. 40311,Berretta Pistol No. AO7184Z, four English Revolver pistols No. 72634, 25727, 9D09270 and G191X194, 50 rounds of 9mm live ammunition and one expended.
    Others are 31 live cartridges, one fake firearm licence, one Golf car, one Prado Jeep, one Toyota cricket(in Police custody in Kaduna),one Toyota corolla and one set of camouflage Police uniform.
    He said the suspects had been on the wanted list of the Police for several kidnappings, armed robberies and other violent crimes within Kaduna and neighbouring states.

  • We got N14.8m as ransom in three months —Suspected kidnappers

    Suspected kidnappers of a Redeemed Christian Church of God  (RCCG) pastor at Ikorodu,  yesterday said they made N14.8 million ransom from three victims within three months.

    Martins Kowei, 34, Lawyer Repo, 20,  Pleasure George, Bamidele Blessing, 26, Monday Lucky, Hope Tamwell, Monday Uyakumig, Saby Dandi and Gadilo Agbajo who were arrested at a hotel in Ijede while planning to kidnap a hotelier claimed poverty forced them into the crime.

    The gang, it was learnt, also kidnapped Otunba Lateef Ogunfowora, owner of Latogun Petroleum in Ijebu Ode.

    They disclosed that they got N6million, N5million and N3.5million from kidnapping an expatriate and two others at seperate occasions in Lagos and Ogun states.

    The suspects who were paraded by the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, were said to have had in their possession, two AK47 rifles and six AK47 magazines and 51 rounds of live ammunition, as well as military camouflages which they used for their operations.

    Confessing to the crimes, Agbajo, who denied being the gang leader said he was only responsible for sharing the loots in the bush.

    He said: “When I was introduced to kidnapping by Blessing Bamidele, the first person we kidnapped was a white man. After that, Bamidele always called me anytime he had an operation. We later kidnapped a man in Ijebu Ode, one at Epe and another at Gberigbe side.

    “We got N6m from one, N5m from another and N3.8 from the third victim. I am not the leader of the group like my other colleagues said. Bamidele Blessing introduced me to the work. I got N1.2m in one.”

    Continuing, Agbajo said they usually got their army camouflages from his brother-in-law, a soldier, but added that the said soldier knew nothing about their operations.

    “We also hid our guns inside the bush after each operation,” he said.

    Speaking, Bamidele said: “I have been living at Ijebu-Ode for one year. Agbajo introduced me into kidnapping. He leads the group and shared every money we made. I was an oil vandal before I became a kidnapper. We started by kidnapping a white man, then two other people in a space of three months and we actually got a total of N14.8 million.

    I was not in charge of sharing. It was Gaifo (another suspect). I got N1.9m from the first N6million and used it to buy house. It was frustration that led me into the crime. We normally shared  our proceeds inside the bush.”

    Parading the suspects, Owoseni said: “They have confessed to various crimes like vandalism, kidnapping and armed robbery, They kidnapped a Pastor (name withheld) and two other men (names withheld). Two Ak47 rifles with six AK47 magazines were recovered from them. Also a Toyota Camry car and military camouflage were recovered from them.