A team of Mobile Police Officers attached to the 40 Police Mobile Force in Jalingo, have rejected a bribe of eight million, five hundred and fifty-five thousand Naira offered to them by a suspected kidnapper.
Taraba State Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, disclosed this while parading some suspected criminals.
He said the suspected kidnapper was arrested on Monday around 9:45 p.m. in a Toyota Starlet with registration number YLA 321 ZY along the Jalingo-Yola bypass road.
According to him, “when interrogated, the suspect could not give a satisfactory account of himself, hence a search was conducted on his vehicle and the following items were recovered in his possession:
A cash sum of eight million, five hundred and fifty-five thousand Naira (N8,555,000)
Seven phones, Three thousand unused MTN recharge cards, Four amulets
“The suspect bribed the PMF personnel, requesting them to take the whole money and allow him to go, but the PMF personnel refused and arrested him accordingly.
“The case is under investigation, and the suspect will soon be charged to court.”
Meanwhile, troops of the 144 Battalion (Rear) of 6 Brigade, Jalingo, exchanged fire with bandits who kidnapped three persons in Jalingo, the state capital.
Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, Lt. Olubodunde Oni, in a statement, said the bandits were on their way to Yorro when the troops engaged them in a gun duel.
He said, “acting on intelligence regarding the movement of the bandits with their victims from Ardo-Kola to Yorro, troops deployed in Apawa village of Yorro Local Government Area swiftly mobilized to the area and trailed the armed group.
“The troops displayed exceptional skill and determination, engaging the criminals with superior firepower.
“This forced the bandits to abandon their three abducted victims.
“We are pleased to report that the rescued individuals have been reunited with their families as we continue on the trail of the kidnappers.”