Police arrest 16 suspects for ‘kidnapping, criminal activities’ in Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has arrested 16 suspects over kidnapping and other criminal activities in the federal capital territory (FCT).

Announcing the development in a statement on Saturday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said three among the suspects were arrested over alleged armed robbery and kidnappings in Bwari area council of the FCT.

Adejobi said police officers also foiled a kidnap plot through technical intelligence, resulting in the arrest of the perpetrators and weapons recovered.

“Amongst the suspects paraded today were the three (3) Bwari-based kidnappers- Idris Ishaku, m, 27 years, Bala Umar, m, 27 years, and Dahiru Salisu, m, 27 years, who have been responsible for series of armed robbery cases and kidnappings in the Bwari Local Government Area and other parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” the statement reads.

“Similarly, the combined team of operatives have arrested thirteen (13) suspects for various other crimes.

“In a proactive move, following a report on the abduction of a victim from his house along with his Hilux Van with Reg. No. RBC 90 DL Gray colour by four armed men who disguised in a white Mercedez Benz 230 car, Police Operatives in an intelligence propelled investigation discovered that the victim was being taken to Kano State, but was dispossessed of his ATM cards at Kaduna while the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) was transferred from his account.

“The suspects however ran out of luck as they were intercepted by Police operatives at a filling station in Kaduna where three of them escaped, while one by the name Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael was arrested, the victim rescued unhurt, and the said Hilux Van recovered.

“It was discovered that Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael and his accomplices had earlier been arrested sometime in November 2023 and charged for similar offences, at the High Court, Kwali, Abuja, but went back to committing even worse crimes while on court bail.

“Also, operatives of the DFI-IRT office intercepted one Everest Magaji, a gunrunner, during negotiation with some notorious bandits who are currently at large, for the purchase and supply of illicit firearms and ammunition. Eleven (11) Pistols, and Two (2) Pump Action Guns were recovered from the suspect.

“The achievements recorded through these relentless operations demonstrate the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Ph.D., NPM, to ensure our country becomes a safe haven for us to inhabit.”

Adejobi added that Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), urged Nigerians to be very observant of their environs and report any suspicious activity immediately to the police.