Police smash kidnappers, arms dealer, recover GPMG, other firearms

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Operatives ot Nigeria Police Special Intervention Squad (SIS) have arrested 16 notorious kidnappers and others criminals with significant amount of arms and ammunition including a general purpose machine gun (GPMG).recovered from them.

The suspects were paraded on Saturday by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Spokesperson for the Nigeria Police before journalists in Abuja.

According to Adejobi, the notorious criminals were arrested by the SIS working with Department of Force Intelligence – Intelligence Response Team (DFI-IRT), the FCT Command Anti-Violent Crimes Section, Anti-kidnapping Section and other State Commands.

Those paraded by the police spokesperson include three Bwari kidnappers- Idris Ishaku, m, 27 years, Bala Umar, m, 27 years, and Dahiru Salisu, m, 27 years

He said the three kidnappers had 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.

He said with the arrest of the three kidnappers, the police foiled another kidnapping they were planning and recovered weapons from them.

The Force Spokesman further addded that 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.

He added thay the suspects ran out of luck as they were intercepted by Police operatives at a filling station in Kaduna.

According to him, while three of the kidnappers escaped, one of them – Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael was arrested.

He said the victim was rescued unhurt, and the Hilux Van was 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,” Adejobi said.

Also paraded was one Everest Magaji, a gunrunner. He was arrested while negotiating with some notorious bandits for the purchase and supply of illicit firearms and ammunition.

The Force spokesperson said 11 pistols, and two pump action guns were recovered from the suspect.