Police Operatives attached to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have 35 suspects across the country for their active involvement and participation in a series of kidnapping, armed robbery, and other heinous crimes. The arrests were sequel to the unrelenting efforts by the Force to rid the country of heinous criminals and to get justice for victims of crimes.
Notable among the Suspects was Pastor Adetokumbo Adenopo,52, founder and General Overseer of New Life Ministry, Lukosi, in Shagamu area of Ogun State and three other members of his criminal gang namely: Chigozie Williams 22, a native of Umuahia North, Abia State, Ugoji Linus 30y, a native of Ezinifite in Imo State and Emmanuel Chris Ani, 27y, a native of Aniri in Enugu State, all were alleged to be responsible for the Kidnap of Jonathan Ekpo, 35, from Benue State. Curiously, the pastor told the Police operatives that he embarked on the crime for the expansion of his church and charity works.
The victim, an employee of a logistics company was kidnapped on July 17, while on official duty to deliver goods in the Shagamu area of the state. The victim was kept in an underground cabin inside the Pastor’s church building in Ogijo town, by his abductors who demanded the payment N20 million ransom as a condition for his release. He was subsequently rescued unhurt nine days after and reunited with his family by the Police.
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Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) DCP Frank Mba, who paraded the Suspects at Force Headquarters, Abuja, said:” Similarly, the police also arrested Udodiri Bright ( aka Ability) 30, a native of Osuachara Village, Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo state and three others, Ekwuru Shadrack (aka Escobar)26, a native of Arondizuogu village in Okigwe LGA of Imo state, Chimerie Igwe( aka 4real )30, a native of Umucheke Village in Orlu LGA of Imo State and Chibuike Sunday, 28, from Arondizuogu of Imo State. They were arrested on July 5, for the abduction and killing of a Nigerian US Soldier, Chuks Okebata, who came into Nigeria for holidays in his home town, Okigwe, Imo State in 2017.
“The Police team also arrested a nine-man trans-boundary armed robbery and car snatching syndicate led by Yakubu Hayatu, 30, from Borno State. Members of the gang include Adamu Awalu, 28, from Kano State, Abdulrahman Yakubu, 23, from Zaria, Yusuf Adamu, 22, from Zaria, Kamal Japhet, 22, from Katsina, Abubakar Samaila, 20, from Zaria, Muhammadu Abdulahi, 20, from Zaria, Yahaya Mohammed, 18, from Kaduna State, Ibrahim Abubakar, 21, from Kwara. Investigations reveal that the syndicate has snatched over 30 exotic cars at gunpoint and killed two policemen. They use anti-tracker devices to evade arrest and deliver the vehicles to Alhaji Garba, in Maradi, Niger Republic. 18 vehicles have so far been recovered by the police team. The team is working with the INTERPOL to apprehend Alhaji Garba and to recover the remaining vehicles.
“Exhibits recovered include 4 Ak47 Rifles, one FMC rifle, one Pump Action Gun, two double-barrel guns, one Beretta pistol, four AK47 Magazine, six cartridges, 378 rounds of live Ammunition, one Network Jammer (anti-tracker device), Others.
“While noting that the suspects will be charged to court on conclusion of investigations, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, assures that the battle against criminal elements in the country is a continuous one”.
