By Dipo Awojobi – The Nigerian police said they have arrested three of the kidnappers who murdered one of the employees of Dangote Group and kidnapped five other expatiates of the conglomerate.
The police said that the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police, IGP, armed with credible intelligence, between November 27 and December 3 arrested three of the kidnappers.
The name of the suspected kidnappers are Abubakar Gide, 24; Abdullahi Salihu, 22 and Babuga Adamu 25.
They were arrested in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State; Epe Forest, Lagos State and Ajase Ipo Forest – kwara state respectively.
A statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah on Tuesday said the suspects confessed to kidnapping and releasing all five initial victims after receiving N5.6 million ransom as well as confessed to kidnapping and murdering the ransom transporter, Mr. Istifanus Gurama, also of Dangote group.
Awunah, however, said it was imperative that relations of kidnapped victim(s) should exercise considerable restraint in negotiating and paying ransom, saying it was absolutely important the negotiators of ransom should have confidence in the police.
“Meanwhile, the suspects have since led the police to their hideout in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun Forest where the following arms and ammunition they used in the operation were recovered: 3 AK47 rifles, 6 AK47 magazines and 160 rounds of ammunition. The suspects further led IRT operatives to Apoje River where the body of Mr. Bello Gurama was recovered. Efforts are in progress to arrest other gang members who are currently at large in other states.
“The IGP admonishes police officers not to get carried away by recent successes but instead redouble their efforts in the fight against crime; and has assured Nigerians that the police will remain undaunted in the collective fight against crime. As members of the public begin the yuletide celebrations, the police will ensure the celebrations are crime free,” he said.
