picked by the operatives of the Inspector- General of Police Intelligence Response Team ( IRT) led by DCP Abba Kyari.
His arrest followed the abduction of a businesswoman, Obinanuju, 67, who was abducted just as she was about to drive into her compound, located at Rumuobiakani area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The kidnappers blocked her right at the entrance of her gate by armed men in Army uniform with AK47 and automatic rifles.
The kidnappers told her that someone paid them N40million to kill her. She was going through severe pains and had to call and beg her family members to save her life by paying the ransom demanded by the kidnappers.
After Obinanuju was released, the family petitioned the Inspector -General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, who instructed DCP Kyari to do everything possible to track the gang and smash it.
Kyari deployed operatives to Port Harcourt. The operatives made a breakthrough after they received an intelligence report from the Port Harcourt Maximum Prison. The information was that an alleged kidnapper, who had been in prison, identified as Sorbari Apollos, aka Blackie, recently released, was part of those that orchestrated the abduction of Obinanuju. IRT operative swooped on Blackie after weeks of trailing him. He was tracked down to Kono-Bowe community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State and arrested. During interrogation, Blackie provided information that aided the operatives in arresting three other members of the gang: Daniel Johngbo, Harridon Barryira and Tobia.
Blackie said: “I am a member of De-Gbam secret cult. I was initiated in 2011 through a friend, Tambake Tax. He is the unit head of the confraternity in my community. There are several other members in our community. I am a kidnapper; I was introduced into it by Ayapsi Tubag, alias Gbenena and Gomba.” Blackie added: “We all participated in the abduction of Mrs Obinanuju.
“I partook in that abduction because I needed money to pay my lawyer who secured my release from prison in September 2018. I was in prison for cultism and kidnapping. I was arrested in March 2016. I was yet to pay my lawyer his balance. I approached Gbenena for financial assistance; I even offered him my farmland in exchange for the money, but he refused. He told me that he has a kidnapping job, which would be profitable. On February 5, 2019, one of Gboma’s friends, who have been monitoring our target, came to Gbenena’s house. He told us that the job was ripe; that we could go after our target.
Gboma also informed us that he had made arrangement for army uniforms, which would be used for the operation to beat security at checkpoints. On February 7, 2019, I got a call from Gbenena to come to his house. When I arrived, I met Gboma and his brother with the army uniforms.
A Toyota Corolla car, a driver, Barriyra and two AK47 rifles were also available. Gbenena poured libation with a hot drink on his shrine. He then prayed for a safe trip. We moved out and headed straight to Port Harcourt. I took one of the AK47 rifles, while Gboma’s brother with the army uniform, had an English pistol with him.” He further explained that the gang got to the Market Junction about 6: pm. They drove straight to Nwogu Street, parked close to Obinanuju’s house and waited. Blackie narrated: “A few minutes later, Gboma instructed our driver to block an incoming Toyota Sienna Space Bus. We all came out and started shooting into the air.
The driver of the Sienna car ran for safety, leaving the woman behind. Gboma’s brother took over the wheels of the vehicle. Gboma and I joined the woman in her car. We forced her to lie face-down. We drove through Aba Road, beating all security checkpoints. We took the woman to Kono Bowe Community. We presented her to Gbenena before moving her into the forest. It was Gboma and Gbenena that did the ransom negotiation.
They were also the ones that collected the ransom. I got N350, 000 as my share of the ransom. I don’t know the exact amount collected from the woman’s family.”
The suspect explained that he started kidnapping in 2015, disclosing that his first job was the abduction of an Ogoni man, named Marco. Blackie and gang abducted Marco on the road as he was returning to his house. The victim was taken to the house of a gang member, Anderson, in Nyorkwe community. Marco was held captive for five days until his family members paid N800, 000. “I got N150, 000 as my share. Anderson was later arrested.
” The police recovered the AK47 rifle and three magazines that I had with me. I was taken to Kala Police Station before I was transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), where I spent six months before I was charged to court. I was in prison from March 2016 to September 2018, before I was released by my lawyer. The rifle I used for that operation was given to me by Gbenena. But my boss remains Solomon Nigbara, who controls over 200 boys. The boys are serving him in his camp, in the forest, in Yege community. He has over 30 AK47 rifles and assorted arms and ammunition in his camp. It is practically impossible to reach him in his camp.”
