DSS arrests ‘abductors’ of Jonathan’s uncle

The Department of States Service (DSS) has announced the arrest of six people allegedly involved in the February 23 abduction of Chief Nitabai Inengite, an uncle of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Inengite was kidnapped in Otuoke Community, Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State at about 9pm by gunmen who whisked him to Onuegbu waterside in an ash-coloured Honda Jeep from where he was transferred into a waiting speedboat and taken to the creeks.

He was held captive at the creek of Brass, very close to the ‘mouth’ of the Atlantic Ocean, and at Okigbene creeks, both in Bayelsa.

DSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogah said a security operation by the service triggered the release of the president’s uncle after 17 days in captivity without payment of ransom.

She said subsequent investigations into the incident led to the arrest of six culprits in Bayelsa, Delta and Edo States.

Those arrested are Eldred Magnus Jonah (30), Raphael Inengesi (a.k.a Abobo, 32), Ibeabuchi Inya (29), Oreva Abridi (29), Tammy Tamarapreye Agbai (29), and Felix Onuoha (a native doctor, 48).

Ogah described Jonah as a 30-year-old 400 level undergraduate student of the University of Jos, Plateau State; and an indigene of Nembe Town in Nembe LGA of Bayelsa State.

“Jonah masterminded the kidnap of Chief Inengite and provided the takeoff grant of N40,000 for arms procurement and other logistics,” she said.

Ogah was reported to have confessed to carrying out surveillance on the victim, and that the gang had two teams for the operation: the land team made up of five persons and the waterside (speedboat) team made up of three persons. He also admitted that four pump action rifles were used for the operation.

Meanwhile, Inengesi was described as a transporter from Otuasega Community in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State, who confessed to have been invited to join in the operation by Obodos. He also reportedly confessed to have attended several meetings during which the kidnap operation was planned, and to have actively participated in the kidnap of the victim.

Ogah said Inya, a native of Abina Community in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State, also confessed to committing the crime, saying he was lured into the gang by Obodosm that he attended several meetings where the kidnap operation was planned, and that he participated in the eventual kidnapping.

Abridi, the fourth suspect and a native of Enweh Community in Oleh LGA of Delta State, confessed to joining the gang after an invitation by Obodos. The construction site worker said he attended several meetings held to plan the operation, and he confirmed that pump action rifles were used for the kidnap.

Agbai, an unemployed graduate of Accounting from the University of Port Harcourt who hails from Kpakiama Community in Bomadi LGA of Delta State, confessed to be the owner of the black golf car used for the operation. However, he said his friend, Jonah, had only told him the car would be used “for a burial ceremony”. He denied involvement in the operation.

The last, a 48-year-old herbalist and native of Aguleri in Anambra East LGA of Anambra State, confessed that Abridi visited him with three unknown persons for the purpose of fortification, success and protection in their plan to kidnap a rich man who resides in Bayelsa State. He said he played along with them to save himself and his family from being harmed by the group, and that he agreed to be paid 10% of whatever ransom was paid for the victim.

Ogah acknowledged the “tremendous support” of members of the public in the fight against acts of criminality, but she urged them to remain vigilant about their environment advised.

“Issues of security cannot be left in the hands of security agencies alone. The peace, unity and security of our dear country, Nigeria, should be our collective responsibility,” she said, before going on to warn criminals that “the long arm of the law will always catch up with perpetrators of crime in Nigeria, no matter how long it takes.”