The
Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris is committed in ensuring that all forms of
crime, fear of crime and particularly kidnap for ransom and other violent
crimes are brought to the lowest ebb throughout the country.
Similarly,
the IGP is determined in making sure that all those who are engaged in
kidnappings, abductions and armed criminal activities will not escape Justice.
To this end, the Nigeria Police will galvanize all available resources at its
disposal to make sure miscreants, hoodlums and deviants have their day with the
law.
Against
this background, the IGP had ordered the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and
other tactical teams to swing into action to rescue Mrs. Margret Emiefele, the
wife of the Central Bank Governor unhurt and apprehend all those remotely or
directly responsible for the dastardly act.
It
will be recalled that Mrs Margret Emiefele and three of her aides were abducted
on 29/9/2016 at Oquneki Hills along Benin-Agbor road, in Delta State.
Consequent
upon deployment of Intelligence Platform, Mrs. Emiefele and her aides were
rescued on 30/9/ 2016 unhurt and they have since been reunited with their
families after debriefing.
Subsequently
the following suspects were arrested and exhibits listed were recovered from
them
SUSPECTS:
- Lance Corporal
Musa Maidabra ‘M’ 28 years
- Lance corporal Edwin
George ‘M’
iii.
Ernest Anthony Uduefe ‘M’ 32 years (dismissed Soldier)
- Mohammed Abubakar A.K.A
Dogo ‘M’ 29 years (Gang leader)
- Mohammed Musa ‘M’ 26
years
- Mohammed Sule ‘M’ 26
years
vii.
Ibrahim Abdullahi ‘M’ 30 years
viii.
Aliyu Musa ‘M’ 30 years
- Mohammed Yusuf ‘M’ 36
years
EXHIBIT:
- Fourteen million seven
hundred and twenty five thousand naira (# 14, 725,000)
- Three Vehicles (Two
Honda cars and an Audi car).
iii.
1 AK 47 magazine and two cartridges
- NA/65/7115 LANCE
CORPORAL MUSA MAIDABARA: The suspect is a 30 year old native
of Katau Village in Billiri LGA of Gombe State. A Lance corporal with the
Nigerian Army serving at 122D30 Regiment in Maiduguri, Borno State, he was
arrested for the active role he played in the kidnap. Upon his arrest, he
made a confessional statement to the Police admitting to be part of the
gang that kidnapped and collected ransom from the victim’s family. In the
course of investigation into the crime, a Jeep worth one million five
hundred thousand naira and a sum of four million naira which was his own
share of the ransom money was recovered from his possession. It was also
discovered that he, in company of NA/65/6582 Lance Corporal Edwin George
and one Ernest Anthony Uduefe, a dismissed soldier, while dressed in Army
Uniform, escorted some of the kidnappers and the ransom money in a maroon
colour Audi car out of the forest where they had kept the victim, to Benin
City, Edo State.
- NA/65/6582 LANCE
CORPORAL EDWIN GEAORGE: A native of Otukpo town, Otukpo LGA of Benue
State. He is personnel of the Nigerian Army serving at 122D Regiment in
Maiduguri, Borno State. As earlier mentioned, he was part of the trio that
escorted the ransom money to Benin City Edo State. A Honda car worth one
million one hundred thousand naira (1,100,000) which he used part of his
loot to purchase was recovered from him. The suspect was arrested on
05/10/2016 at about 1300hrs in his home town.
iii.
ERNEST ANTHONY UDUEFE: The suspect is 32 years old, he is a native of
Igbuku village, Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State. He also volunteered a
confessional statement to his involvement in the crime. Investigation revealed
that he also bought a Honda car worth one million five hundred thousand naira
(1,500,000) and furnished an apartment in Benin City Edo State within 48hrs of
the kidnap incident. The sum of one million five hundred thousand naira in cash
and the said Honda car was recovered from him.
- MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR A.K.A
DOGO: The suspect is 30 years of age. He is a native of Mubi town, in Mubi
LGA of Adamawa State and the leader of the group. He confessed to the
crime and admitted that he received the sum of eleven million naira
(11,000,000) in cash from the ransom paid. The suspect however, claimed to
have given one Danjuma who is presently on the run, the said sum to keep
for him.
- MOHAMMED MUSA: The
suspect is 26 years old and hails from Yabo LGA of Sokoto State. He also
volunteered a confessional statement admitting that he is a member of the
gang and also, that he received the sum of ten million naira (10,000,000)
from the ransom paid. He sustained bullet wounds after a gun duel with the
Police while trying to leave the forest where they had kept the victim.
The cash sum of seven million seven hundred thousand naira (7, 700,000)
was recovered from him. Useful information was gotten from him that led to
the arrest of other gang members.
- MOHAMMED SULE: He is 26
years old and a native of Awe village in Awe LGA of Nasarawa State. The
suspect confessed to have received ten million naira (10,000,000) in cash
as part of his share of ransom paid and claimed a soldier and a gang
leader escaped with the loot.
vii.
IBRAHIM ABDULLAHI: He is a 30 year old native of Fondogeri LGA of Niger State.
He admitted to have received ten million naira (10,000,000) in cash as part of
his share of the ransom money.
viii.
ALIYU MUSA AND MOHAMMED YUSUF: 29 year old Aliyu Musa and 36 year old Mohammed
Yusuf were arrested for their involvement in the kidnap incident based on
information availed the Police by Mohammed Musa one of the aforementioned suspects.
They are being investigated further on the roles played by the two in the
commission of the crime.
The
Nigeria Police Force will continue to limit the capacity of kidnappers and
other criminals to disrupt the quality of life of Nigerians by the deployment
of adequate manpower and resources in crime reduction, detection and effective
prosecution of offenders in courts of competent jurisdiction.
The
curtailment of the activities of kidnappers in our communities will be
ultimately successful through the cooperation and collaboration of all
stakeholders. There must be collective ownership of law enforcement.
It
is instructive to mention that money or ‘ransom’ is sometimes used as a bait or
bargaining chip to save the lives of the victims of crime which is primary to
security operatives.
It
is also absolutely important to mention that the Police do not and will not
encourage payment of ransom. The relatives of victims of kidnap for ransom are
strongly advised to exercise considerable caution to succumb in payment of
ransom. It is inherently counterproductive. At all times of kidnap scenario, it
is pertinent the Police are involved and trusted.
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