Police nab five suspected kidnappers in Rivers
OPERATIVES of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested five individuals suspected to be involved in various criminal activities, including kidnapping and cultism in the state. The suspects are Yahaya Bello, Aliyu Usman, Sule Abubakar, and Abdullahi Adamu.
Spokesperson for the command, SP Grace IringeKoko, in a statement yesterday, said investigation was initiated following a report made by the management of Lujo Heights Homes on January 19.
Iringe- Koko said the report detailed the disappearance of four staff members during a routine property inspection in Okocha Community, IgboEtche, Etche Local Council, saying despite repeated attempts to establish contact, there was no response from the missing individuals. “She said: “Through meticulous intelligencegathering efforts, the police apprehended four suspects believed to be connected to the incident.
“During questioning, these suspects confessed to their involvement in the abduction of the victims, as well as the subsequent destruction of the Toyota Sequoia SUV they were traveling in. “The victims, who endured a harrowing ordeal in the forests of Etche, recounted being subjected to inhumane treatment and constant threats of death unless a ransom of N300 million was paid for their release. “Investigations revealed that these individuals are part of a criminal network predominantly composed of Fulani individuals, operating under the guise of cattle rearers.
“They have been engaged in a series of kidnappings across Rivers, Delta, and Edo states. In Port Harcourt, they had taken up residence in Valley Decision Estate, where they deceitfully convinced the community to grant them access to the land, purportedly for protection against land grabbers. “Aliyu Usman, 33, who hails from Kebbi State, emerged as a central figure in the criminal operations.
He has been working as a security guard in Valley Decision Estate, Rumukwurushi, facilitating the infiltration of criminals. Aliyu has a previous history of involvement in armed robbery.
“Sule Abubakar, 25, was brought into the gang by Aliyu with the aim of strengthening their criminal activities in Port Harcourt. “During interrogation, Sule confessed to his participation in his first kidnapping assignment in Edo State, alongside his elder brother who is currently at large. “Abdullahi Adamu, 20, from Taraba State, recently arrived in Port Harcourt and was undergoing training in criminal operations under the guidance of Aliyu.” She added: “Yahaya, who had been supplying food to the captors, was also apprehended. He admitted to receiving a sum of NGN470,000 as his share of the ransom.