Police operatives of the FCT Police Command attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit have arrested five members kidnapping gang responsible for several kidnapping attacks in the capital city.
Nigeriacrime.com gathered that the gang was uncovered following credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of one Buhari Muhammad 20 years, a wanted kidnap kingpin; Muhammad Sabiu 20 years, Isah Abdullahi, Hamzat Musa 21 years, Fatima Abdullahi 22 years and Zuliat Yusuf 23 yrs in a hotel in Bassa Village in FCT.
Confirming the arrest, SP Josephine Adeh said, “The notorious kidnap syndicate were responsible for the abduction of one Joshua Eze, the husband to Blessing Eze who suffered a bullet injury in the process of her husband’s abduction on 27/01/2024 and was subsequently rescued unhurt by Police operatives of the Command on 28/01/2024.
“One AK47 rifle,10 mobile phones, cash sum of three hundred and forty-five thousand naira and some other valuables were recovered from the suspects who have since confessed to the crime and other kidnapping incidents in the Territory.
“While the investigation is still ongoing, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth Igweh wishes to assure members of the public of his commitment to rid FCT of criminality in all its manifestations.
“He equally urges residents to report suspicious activities through the following emergency lines; 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883; PCB: 09022222352.”
In a related development, the Kano State Police Command, on Monday, said it has arrested a suspected gang member of bandits, one Isah Lawal terrorizing Birnin-Gwari axis in Kaduna state.
The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abdullahi Hussaini who confirmed this to newsmen, said the suspect was arrested in possession of 61 livestock while attempting to relocate from Birnin-Gwari to set up a new camp in Gwarzo-Karaye Forest of Kano State.
ASP Hussaini said in the course of the investigation, the suspect confessed that he was relocating following the death of their gang leader in a rival clash between the bandits in the Birnin-Gwari axis.
According to him, “On January 4th, 2024 at about 05:40 pm, a team of Police Operatives led by SP Aliyu Mohammed Auwal, while on intelligence-led Clearance Operation at Karaye LGA, Kano State along Kaduna-Kano Border arrested one Isah Lawal, aged 33 years old, ‘m’, of Kaya Village, Giwa LGA, Kaduna State in possession of fifty-five (55) Cows and six (6) Sheep.
“During the course of the investigation, the suspect confessed that they were running out from their Maidaro Bandits Camp in Birnin Gwari LGA, Kaduna State because one of their Gang Leaders, Bashir of Malumfashi, Katsina State was killed during a Bandits Rival Group fights which necessitated him to relocate to Kano State, Gwarzo-Karaye Forest to set up a new camp.
“A discrete investigation is in progress as the suspect is providing useful information that will assist the Police in tackling banditry in neighbouring States.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, having commended the Police Operatives for their effort, resilience and commitment, directed the deployment of additional manpower and equipment to all Kano State borders.
“The Commissioner of Police while appreciating the friendship and collaborative gesture extended by the good people of the State to the Police Command, also thanked everyone for the prayers, understanding, continuous support, encouragement and cooperation.
“The CP further urged everyone to keep reporting any suspicious movement of person(s) or item(s) they come across to the nearest Police Station or through the available platforms,” ASP Hussaini however stated.