IRT arrest 5 suspected kidnappers

Detectives attached to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested a five-man gang of kidnappers allegedly responsible for the series of attacks in the south-east and south-south.

Their arrest was sequel to the kidnap and release of one Chief Felix Ogbonna and the collection of about N5 million ransom from his family.

After the victim was released, the IGP, Ibrahim Idris, directed the head of the IRT team to investigate and bring all those behind the kidnap to justice.

The leader of the IRT, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Abba Kyari, subsequently tracked the suspects to their hideout in Aba, Abia State where they were arrested.

The Force Public Relations Officer (PRO), Moshood Jimoh, said that the police recovered one AK47 rifle, several magazine/ammunitions, a Lexus 300 jeep which was described as the gang’s operational vehicle, and a Toyota Sienna bus from the gang.

Jimoh, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said that efforts were on to arrest other members of the gang said to have fled before the arrival of the police team.

The police spokesman said, “The kidnappers confessed to have started their kidnapping operations in November 2017 and had been involved in three kidnappings in Aba, Abia State, and that they had collected ransoms of N250,000, N1m, and N5.5m equivalent in dollars.

“The suspects confessed to have carried out random kidnapping based on the nature of the vehicle being driven by their targets. Suspects names and roles played are as follows: Samuel Chikaodi James, aka Chiboy ‘m’ 29, he is the second in command. He is also the driver of the operational vehicle used in the kidnaps, the negotiator of ransoms and does the pick-ups. Received N3m.

“Justice Irish, aka Mopol, 23, of Edo State. He snatches and secures the hostages in the vehicle up to the kidnap den. He got N300,000 as his own share.

“Ikechukwu Igwebuike, aka Anambra, 22. He is also involved in the snatching of victims and secures the hostages in the vehicle up to the kidnap den. He got N300,000.

“Chikachi Ubani, 30. He was in charge of the stronghold/detention camp where hostages were kept.

“Chineye Mark, 45, a panel beater. He hides their operation vehicle in his workshop. He received N150,000 as his own share.”