Operatives of the anti – kidnapping unit of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested one Mallam Bala and the gang leader of a notorious kidnapping gang, one Abdullahi Ruwa a.K.a Juli at Atako forest of kuje area council.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), DSP Adeh Josephine, stated that the arrest of the suspect followed intelligence at the disposal of the Command which revealed the plan by the criminal group to kidnap a clergyman at Nukku Village in the Abaji area council of the FCT.
“The suspects were arrested while perfecting plans toward executing the criminal act”.
“They equally revealed to the Police team how they have carried out several kidnap for ransom operations”, .
“Two (2) mobile phones with special lines were recovered from Mallam Bala, which he used in communicating with other gang members while they perfected their plans. Two Gionee mobile phones which the gang uses in contacting the families of their victims for ransom were also recovered from Abdullahi Ruwa”, the statement said.
Furthermore, the statement stated that acting on a tip off, Police Operatives from Dawaki Division arrested one Awal Abdullahi, a suspected member of a kidnapping syndicate that has been on the watch list of the Police.
It noted that the suspect revealed how he participated in two kidnap operations carried out by his gang recently.
According to the statement, further investigations led to the arrest of one Isah Yusuf and three (3) other members of the syndicate.
It added; “Efforts are being intensified to arrest other members of the gang in the two operations that are still at large”.
“All the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation”, it said.
It urged residents to remain calm while reaffirming its unflinching commitment to rid the FCT of every form of crimes and criminality and protect the lives and property of residents.
The statement also implored residents to report all suspicious movements.
