In its determined efforts to rid the city of criminal element and criminality, operatives of the FCT Police Command have busted a notorious 7-man Kidnapping syndicate responsible for the abduction of several persons across Abuja in the last couple of weeks.
FCT Police Commissioner, CP Benneth Igweh who made this known on Wednesday said the kidnapping gang had engaged in the kidnapping of 14 victims between November last year and January 2024 before their arrest.
This is just as the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Barr Ezenwo Wike has placed a N20 million bounty on information leading to the arrest of three suspected kidnappers who are at large.
Wike placed the reward during the parade of 23 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and one chance criminals at the FCT Command Headquarters, Garki, Abuja, vowing that the days of insecurity and tension in the capital city are over.
Charging the command to deploy more intelligence in stamping out all forms of criminality in Abuja, he said, “Go and fish the three remaining kidnappers out wherever they are. I put N20 million bounty on their head. Go all out for them and fish them out. Every day is for the thief, one day is for the owner of the house.
Detailing the arrest of the kidnappers, FCT CP said, “On Tuesday 13th February 2024 at about 5 pm, acting on credible intelligence, the operatives of Utako Divisional Headquarters, in concert with the Anti-Kidnapping unit of the Command arrested Seven (7) wanted kidnapping suspects.
“The suspects are Usman Muhazu, Aliyu Muhammed, Auwal Lahiru, Rabiu Sani
Madina Abubakar, Jonah Elimelechi, and Saminu Idris.
“They were arrested in Pyankasa, Tudun Wada and Ketti village, FCT, in connection to the kidnap of 14 notable persons in the Federal Capital Territory.
“These kidnappers who have been giving FCT a sleepless night and on the wanted list of the Command for a long time, have now been arrested.
“They are responsible for the kidnapping of 5 victims in Federal Mortgage Housing Estate, Kabusa.3 persons at Ketti village, Fulani residents of Alhaji Sani, a woman and her gate man in Kabusa Estate as well as One Mr Sunday Zakwai and four others.
“CP Igweh said, “The kidnapping gang equally Killed the district head while two staff were kidnapped at Defence Estate Kabusa” by the gang.
Similarly, the CP disclosed that a gang of armed robbery and one-chance criminals who have perpetrated several one-chance attacks on unsuspecting members of the public, causing pain, and injuries have been arrested.
Igweh said, “On Monday 11th February 2024 at about 4 pm, the operatives of the FCT Police Command attached to Mabushi Divisional Headquarters, in the continued fight against criminality arrested eight (8) notorious armed robbery suspects terrorising FCT.
The suspects are Auwal Yusuf (an ex-convict), Ismail Hudu, Sylvester Poto, Abdusalam Mamuda, Sunday Udoma (Akido), Ifeoma Ngoze Obodo, Muhammed Telegbe and Chocolate
Sarah Mohammed Telegbe.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the suspects who are responsible for several one-chance activities in the past were trailed to Central Area while attempting to rob some innocent residents and were promptly arrested.
“The suspects confessed to using toy guns and knives to scare their victims to illegally obtain from them. Suspects will be charged to court soon.
The CP further said that a total sum of N9 million was recovered from the kidnapping and armed robbery gangs while other recoveries include 6 AK 47 rifles, bulletproof vests and a locally fabricated walkie-talkie radio.
Speaking further on his determination to flush out kidnappers and criminals in the FCT, Barr Wike said, “They have terrorized us, but we told them we are coming. As you say we will not sleep, you will not sleep too.”
He commended the FCT Police boss, Ben Igweh for the efforts so far saying, “When you were posted to Port Harcourt, I knew what you did. When you were posted here, I was confident. Please do more on intelligence gathering.”
While tasking the media to report the achievements of the police as much as they do when they are not achieving, the minister said, “I want to urge journalists to also report the positive side of the command. If FCT is not safe, you as journalists are not safe. Partner with the police and report positively.”