The Police in Abuja have announced the arrest of three of the kidnappers who murdered one and kidnapped five expatriate members of staff of Dangote Group.
A statement by Force Public Relations Officer Don N. Awunah listed the men as 24-year old Abubakar Gide, 22-year old Abdullahi Salihu, and 25-year old Babuga Adamu, saying were arrested in different places in Ogun, Lagos and Kwara States between November 27 and December 3.
The spokesman said the arrest, by the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT), was evidence that the coordinated clampdown on crime and criminality throughout the country was continuing to yield positive results.
“The suspects confessed to kidnapping and releasing all five initial victims after receiving N5.6 million ransom,” the statement said, adding that they also confessed to kidnapping and murdering the ransom transporter, Mr. Istifanus Gurama, also of Dangote Group.
He urged relatives of kidnap victims to exercise considerable restraint in negotiating and paying ransoms, stressing that it is important to have confidence in the police.
The spokesman further stated that the suspects have already led the police to their hideout in Ijebu Igbo Ogun Forest where three AK47 rifles, six AK47 magazines and 160 rounds of ammunition, which were used in the operation, were recovered.
The suspects also led IRT operatives to Apoje River where the body of Mr. Gurama was recovered, Mr. Awunah continued, adding that efforts are underway to arrest other gang members who are currently at large.
“The IGP admonishes police officers not to get carried away by recent successes but instead redouble their efforts in the fight against crime; and has assured Nigerians that the police will remain undaunted in the collective fight against crime,” he continued, affirming that as members of the public begin the yuletide celebrations, the police will ensure the celebrations are crime free.
