The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of three men it described as vicious kidnappers, recovery of arms and ammunition, victims’ cars as well as operational vehicles of the kidnappers.

The police gave the names of the suspects as Uche Obiora, Michael Ishaku, Raphael Dauda and Mohammed Sanusi Haruna whose room was used to keep victims for nine days at Mpape quarters FCT Abuja.

A statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Force Public Relations Officers, CSP Jimoh O. Moshood, stated that “the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim K. Idris, concerned about crime of kidnappings and other related violent crimes in the country, reorganised and equipped the IGP’s Special Tactical Squad (STS) and Technical Intelligence Unit, (TIU) and other investigative departments of the Force for optimum performance to nip in the bud and rid the country of the menace.”

Some of the exhibits recovered by the Police, according to the statement, include operational vehicle of the gang, a Mazda with Abuja registration number SNK 891 TM; one AK 49 rifle, and Fifty-nine (59) 7.65 mm live ammunitions.

“In a renewed onslaught against kidnappers across the country, the operatives of the IGP’s Special Tactical Squad working on actionable intelligence, with the assistance of Technical Intelligence Unit TIU/ATIC, smashed a vicious kidnap for ransom gang and arrested three kidnappers on February 12, 2017 at their hideout in Abuja and Kano respectively. The suspects confessed to the crime and admitted to have collected one million naira ransom money before releasing the victims. Investigation is being intensified to arrest the other fleeing members of the syndicate,” the Police said.

The Police also disclosed that it recovered stolen vehicles, giving the name of the suspect as Uche Maxcilleneus from whom it recovered an ash coloured Honda Hennessey 2000 model; and a Honda Civic 1996 model black in colour.

The Police said, “On the February 18, 2017, a reliable intelligence received on the activities of syndicate specialized in receiving stolen vehicles and the undercover operatives of IGP Special Tactical Squad (STS) trailed and arrested the above mentioned suspect. He confessed to have specialised in receiving stolen cars while the above listed exhibits were recovered from him. Suspect will be charged to court on completion of investigation.”

For unlawful possession of fire arms and ammunitions, the Police also said they arrested one John Jumare of Buggai village in Chukun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Three locally made Rifles with 51 rounds of 7.65 mm ammunitions were also recovered from the suspect.

Furthermore, the Police said “In a determination to tackle car snatching cases, on 28/01/2017, Operatives of the IGP’s Special Tactical Squad (STS) trailed and arrested a criminal syndicate that specialises in car snatching in Bauchi State and environs. During interrogation, suspects confessed to be members of a car snatch syndicate that specialized in drugging soft drinks for drivers and in the process snatch their vehicles. Investigation is being intensified to arrest the remaining gang members. Suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.”

It gave the names of the suspects as Ibrahim Mohammed, Surajo Yakubu and Danlami Musa, from whom the squad recovered a Peugeot 406 with Chassis No. VVF38BRF8105029120; a Toyota Camry Golden colour with Chassis No. 4TIV922KIN2351883; a Toyota corolla, Green colour with Chassis No. J9172EE8107022796; and a Honda Civic, black in colour with Chassis No. LHE1667YL051383.

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