The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested three kidnappers, and 13 other suspects in Bwari Area Council of the Territory.
The Police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, while parading the suspects at the Force Headquarters in Saturday, said they were arrested for various offences, adding that arms and ammunition, including a general purpose machine gun (GPMG), were recovered.
He explained that the arrest followed a recent launch of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to fortify the security landscape in the FCT.
According to Ajimobi, the SIS collaborated with the Department of Force Intelligence – Intelligence Response Team (DFI-IRT), the FCT Command Anti-Violent Crimes Section, Anti-kidnapping Section and other State Commands, to achieve the feat.
He gave the names of the three kidnappers as “Idris Ishaku, Bala Umar and Dahiru Salisu all aged 27”, adding that they were responsible for series of armed robbery cases and kidnappings in the Area Council and other parts of the FCT.
“Similarly, the combined team of operatives arrested 13 suspects for various other crimes.
“In a proactive move, following a report on the abduction of a victim from his house along with his Hilux Van with Reg. No. RBC 90 DL Gray colour by four armed men who disguised in a white Mercedez Benz 230 car, Police Operatives in an intelligence propelled investigation discovered that the victim was being taken to Kano State, but was dispossessed of his ATM cards at Kaduna while ¥500,000.00 was transferred from his account.
“The suspects, however ran out of luck as they were intercepted by Police operatives at a filling station in Kaduna where three of them escaped, while one by the name Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael was arrested, the victim rescued unhurt, and the said Hilux Van recovered.
“It was discovered that Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael and his accomplices had earlier been arrested sometime in November 2023 andrrested, the victim rescued unhurt, and the said Hilux Van recovered.
“It was discovered that Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael and his accomplices had earlier been arrested sometime in November 2023 and charged for similar offences, at the High Court, Kwali, Abuja, but went back to committing even worse crimes while on court bail.
“Also, operatives of the DFI-IRT office intercepted one Everest Magaji, a gunrunner, during negotiation with some notorious bandits who are currently at large, for the purchase and supply of illicit firearms and ammunition. Eleven (11) Pistols, and Two (2) Pump Action Guns were recovered from the suspect.
“The achievements recorded through these relentless operations demonstrate the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Ph.D., NPM, to ensure our country becomes a safe haven for us to inhabit.”
