The Nigerian Police on Monday in Abuja paraded nine men, including two soldiers as suspected kidnappers of Margaret, the wife of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
The nine men were paraded at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, alongside the exhibit of the kidnap, which included cash of N14.725 million.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah, who addressed the press, said the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, is committed to “ensuring that all forms of crime, fear of crime and particularly kidnap for ransom and other violent crimes are brought to the lowest ebb throughout the country”.
Awunah said that the IGP is committed in ensuring that all forms of crime, fear of crime and particularly kidnap for ransom and other violent crimes are brought to the lowest ebb throughout the country.
Similarly, he said that the IGP is determined in making sure that all those who are engaged in kidnappings, abductions and armed criminal activities will not escape Justice.
“To this end, the Nigeria Police will galvanize all available resources at its disposal to make sure miscreants, hoodlums and deviants have their day with the law.”
Against this background, he said that the IGP had ordered the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and other tactical teams to swing into action to rescue Mrs. Margret Emiefele, the wife of the Central Bank Governor unhurt and apprehend all those remotely or directly responsible for the dastardly act.
It will be recalled that Mrs Margret Emiefele and three of her aides were abducted on 29/9/2016 at Oquneki Hills along Benin-Agbor road, in Delta State.
“Consequent upon deployment of Intelligence Platform, Mrs. Emiefele and her aides were rescued on 30/9/ 2016 unhurt and they have since been reunited with their families after debriefing.
“Subsequently the following suspects were arrested and exhibits listed were recovered from them:
* Lance Corporal Musa Maidabra ‘M’ 28 years
* Lance corporal Edwin George ‘M’
* Ernest Anthony Uduefe ‘M’ 32 years (dismissed Soldier)
* Mohammed Abubakar A.K.A Dogo ‘M’ 29 years (Gang leader)
* Mohammed Musa ‘M’ 26 years
* Mohammed Sule ‘M’ 26 years
* Ibrahim Abdullahi ‘M’ 30 years
* Aliyu Musa ‘M’ 30 years
* Mohammed Yusuf ‘M’ 36 years
Exhibits recovered from them include:
* N14.72 million
* Three Vehicles (Two Honda cars and an Audi car).
* 1 AK 47 magazine and two cartridges
* Maidabra is a 30 year old native of Katau Village in Billiri LGA of Gombe State. A Lance corporal with the Nigerian Army serving at 122D30 Regiment in Maiduguri, Borno State, he was arrested for the active role he played in the kidnap.
Upon his arrest, he made a confessional statement to the Police admitting to be part of the gang that kidnapped and collected ransom from the victim’s family.
In the course of investigation into the crime, a Jeep worth one million five hundred thousand naira and a sum of N4m which was his own share of the ransom money was recovered from his possession.
It was also discovered that he, in company of NA/65/6582 Lance Corporal Edwin George and one Ernest Anthony Uduefe, a dismissed soldier, while dressed in Army Uniform, escorted some of the kidnappers and the ransom money in a maroon colour Audi car out of the forest where they had kept the victim, to Benin City, Edo State.
* George, a native of Otukpo town, Otukpo LGA of Benue State, is a personnel of the Nigerian Army serving at 122D Regiment in Maiduguri, Borno State.
He was part of the trio that escorted the ransom money to Benin City Edo State. A Honda car worth N1.1 million which he used part of his loot to purchase was recovered from him. The suspect was arrested on 05/10/2016 at about 1300hrs in his home town.
* Uduefe is a 32 years old native of Igbuku village, Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State. He also volunteered a confessional statement to his involvement in the crime.
Investigation revealed that he also bought a Honda car worth N1.5 million and furnished an apartment in Benin City Edo State within 48hrs of the kidnap incident. The sum of N1.5m in cash and the said Honda car was recovered from him.
* Dogo a 30 year old native of Mubi town, in Mubi LGA of Adamawa State is the leader of the group. He confessed to the crime and admitted that he received the sum of N11 million in cash from the ransom paid. The suspect however, claimed to have given one Danjuma who is presently on the run, the said sum to keep for him.
* Musa, a 26 years old and hails from Yabo LGA of Sokoto State also volunteered a confessional statement admitting that he is a member of the gang and also, that he received the sum of N10 MILLION from the ransom paid.
He sustained bullet wounds after a gun duel with the Police while trying to leave the forest where they had kept the victim. The cash sum of N77 million was recovered from him. Useful information was gotten from him that led to the arrest of other gang members.
* Sule, a 26 years old native of Awe village in Awe LGA of Nasarawa State confessed to have received N10 million in cash as part of his share of ransom paid and claimed a soldier and a gang leader escaped with the loot.
* Abdullah, a 30 year old native of Fondogeri LGA of Niger State admitted to have received N10 million in cash as part of his share of the ransom money.
* 29 year old Aliyu Musa and 36 year old Mohammed Yusuf were arrested for their involvement in the kidnap incident based on information availed the Police by Mohammed Musa one of the aforementioned suspects.
They are being investigated further on the roles played by the two in the commission of the crime.
The Nigeria Police Force says it will continue to limit the capacity of kidnappers and other criminals to disrupt the quality of life of Nigerians by the deployment of adequate manpower and resources in crime reduction, detection and effective prosecution of offenders in courts of competent jurisdiction.
“The curtailment of the activities of kidnappers in our communities will be ultimately successful through the cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders. There must be collective ownership of law enforcement.
“It is instructive to mention that money or ‘ransom’ is sometimes used as a bait or bargaining chip to save the lives of the victims of crime which is primary to security operatives.
“It is also absolutely important to mention that the Police do not and will not encourage payment of ransom. The relatives of victims of kidnap for ransom are strongly advised to exercise considerable caution to succumb in payment of ransom.
“It is inherently counterproductive. At all times of kidnap scenario, it is pertinent the Police are involved and trusted,” he said.
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