THE Rivers State Police Command has arrested 20 suspected kidnappers who have allegedly been terrorizing the state in the last few months.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday that 15 suspected armed robbers were also apprehended by security operatives within the month of October.
He identified some of the kidnap suspects as Hassan Adamu, Musa Mohadiyi, Asonye Obi, Thankgod Ayebatari, Raphael Nwankwo, Philip Efe and Maxwell Onogarigbo.
“On October 10, 2014, two suspected kidnappers namely Hassan Adamu and Musa Mohadiyi, who kidnapped Emeka Paulinus Ajukwara on August 21, 2014, were arrested with their victim’s vehicle with Registration No. YEN 348 CO.
“On interrogation, the suspects confirmed killing and burying their victim. Abbas Musa, another member of the gang, was also picked while the grave of their victim was located. A locally made pistol was recovered from them.
“On October 3, 2014, a gang of suspected kidnappers called one Samuel Eke and informed him that they heard that another gang was plotting to kidnap him, but stopped them.
“For stopping the planned kidnapping, the gang demanded N1m from Samuel Eke. The trio of Asonye Obi, Thankgod Ayebatari and Raphael Nwankwo were arrested after picking the money from where it was kept,” Mohammad said.
He added that while seven various firearms were recovered from the suspected criminals, 46 ammunition were also seized within October 2014.
The state police spokesman pointed out that security operatives recovered seven stolen vehicles and one Dynamite Cortes from suspects.
He, however, urged members of the public to be wary of how they carry their ATM card about, adding that criminals have perfected ways of kidnapping victims and using their ATM cards to withdraw money.
“The Command also wishes to bring to the notice of general public of the new technique employed by criminals to drain their victim’s bank account by keeping him hostage and using the victim’s ATM card to withdraw money from the account.
“Such victim regains freedom only after his bank account has been exhausted. Members of the public are hereby advised to exercise caution when moving about with their ATM cards on them unless it is most necessary,” Mohammad advised.
On the immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Okey Wali, who was abducted by unknown gunmen, he said the command was working round the clock to ensure he (Wali) was rescued safely.
