The police on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of two suspected kidnappers of Greenfield University students in Kaduna State.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this during a media briefing in Abuja.

Adejobi said the suspects confessed to the mindless murder of five of the victims before payment of ransom and eventual release of others.

He stated that the two suspects had also admitted to working with a kidnap kingpin to abduct and murder two police officers and one vigilante in 2021.

He noted that the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Force Intelligence Bureau Special Tactical Squad (FIB-STS) in March after being on their trail over the kidnap of Bethel Baptist School students in 2021.

Adejobi said the police also arrested five alleged trans-border syndicates over kidnapping operations between Adamawa in Nigeria and Burha, Fituha and Kesu in Cameroun.

He said the suspects specialise in targeting wealthy individuals who possess beautiful houses or cars.

The police spokesperson added that the suspects confessed to the kidnap and multiple rape of a newly wedded woman in Borno who was released upon receipt of N1 million ransom.

He stated that the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the FIB-STS after collecting N2 million ransom from one Alhaji Moni on May 11.

Adejobi said the suspects were the 31 arrested in connection with major violent crimes of kidnapping, culpable homicide, rape and unlawful possession of firearms.

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The police spokesperson added: “Operatives of the FIB-STS equally apprehended the duo of Umar Muhammed aged 40 years old from Mitchika in Adamawa State, and Musa Buba aged 29 years old from Hong in Adamawa State, who are famous for their kidnapping activities.

“They were arrested at the market, upon credible intelligence that they would be there to buy food items for their kidnap victims.

“They confessed to many heinous crimes including the killing and beheading of one Alhaji Mai Gome, even after ransom payment had been made.”

He said their arrest followed the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, to clampdown on perpetrators of crimes and criminality, as well as cutting off their supply of arms.

Adejobi said 61 firearms, including 41 AK rifles, eight Type 06 rifles, four Light Assault Rifles (LAR), four pump action guns, two locally made firearms, one G3 rifle and one dane gun were recovered from them.

He said 376 rounds of live ammunition of different calibres and N2 million cash were also recovered from the suspects during police investigations.

The Star