Police operatives have arrested no fewer than three suspected kidnappers terrorising the residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and 13 other notorious criminals in the nation’s capital.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

Adejobi listed the suspected Bwari-based kidnappers, who were paraded alongside 13 others at the Force headquarters in Abuja on Saturday to include 27-year-old Idris Ishaku; 27-year-old Bala Umar; and Dahiru Salisu, aged 27.

The police spokesperson said the suspects were responsible for a series of armed robbery cases and kidnappings in the Bwari Local Government Area and other parts of Abuja.

He stated that the arrest of the suspects followed the recent launch of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, adding that several arms and ammunition, including a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), were recovered from them (suspects).

READ ALSO: Military vows to go after kidnappers in Abuja, deploys technology

Adejobi disclosed that the 13 suspects were arrested by police operatives for various other crimes, saying: “Amongst the achievements recorded is the foiling of another kidnap plot through technical intelligence resulting in the arrest of the above-named Bwari-based kidnappers, and weapons recovered from them.”

“In a proactive move, following a report on the abduction of a victim from his house along with his Hilux Van with Reg. No. RBC 90 DL Gray colour by four armed men who disguised in a white Mercedez Benz 230 car, police operatives in an intelligence propelled investigation discovered that the victim was being taken to Kano State, but was dispossessed of his ATM cards at Kaduna while the sum of N500,000 was transferred from his account.

“The suspects however ran out of luck as they were intercepted by police operatives at a filling station in Kaduna where three of them escaped, while one by the name Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael was arrested, the victim rescued unhurt, and the said Hilux Van recovered.

“It was discovered that Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael and his accomplices had earlier been arrested sometime in November 2023 and charged for similar offences, at the High Court, Kwali, Abuja, but went back to committing even worse crimes while on court bail.

“Also, operatives of the DFI-IRT office intercepted one Everest Magaji, a gunrunner, during negotiation with some notorious bandits who are currently at large, for the purchase and supply of illicit firearms and ammunition. 11 pistols and two Pump Action Guns were recovered from the suspect.”

The Star