The Nigeria Police today in Abuja announced it has smashed a deadly killer gang in connection with the kidnapping and murder of an army officer, Col. Samaila Inusa, in Kaduna last March.
Four suspects are under arrest for the crime.
A statement by police spokesman Olabisi Kolawole said the arrests followed “discreet, sustained and painstaking” work by the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the Kaduna State Command SIB operatives.
“Sequel to the kidnapping and killing of the officer, the IGP IRT deployed the Technical and Human Intelligence assets of the Force which led to the arrest of a Prison Warder named Abdullahi Adamu, who is a close associate of one of the prime suspects who was using the Tecno mobile phone stolen from the slain Colonel,” the statement said.
It added that further investigation led to the arrest of two men described as the prime suspects: Ibrahim Kabiru 23, (aka Uztaz) and Ebele Precious, 41 (aka pastor). Another man referred to as “gang leader” Emeka Okeke Cyprain, 44, and another member of the syndicate, Chijioke Ugwuanyi, 42 (aka CJ), were later arrested.
The statement said the notorious gang specialised in snatching cars and hijacking trucks, the items then sold to unsuspecting members of the public. Items recovered by the Police from them include one AK 47 rifle, two magnum pistols, one Nissan Pathfinder Jeep and documents of six houses located in Anambra State, confessed by Cyprian to be proceeds of his previous criminal activities.
Commending the IRT and operatives of the Kaduna State SIB detectives for their commitment, diligence, and professionalism which led to the breakthrough in the case, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon E. Arase, enjoined Nigerians to continue to support the Police with relevant information.
The four suspects are soon to be arraigned before a competent court of law for criminal charges against them, as efforts continue to arrest the fleeing members of the gang, the police said.
