Following the growing spate of insecurity in Ondo State, particularly, the recent two armed robbery incidents recorded in the past few days, five suspected kidnappers terrorising the state have been apprehended by the men of the Nigeria Police.
The suspected gunmen, who were nabbed following the abduction of their victim identified as Prince Omoghae Igbegbon had on 2nd of April, 2019, operated along Akunnu – Akoko/Auga – Akoko road in Ondo State where they allegedly disposed their victim of the sum of N185,000 before demanding for N30 million ransom for his release.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday at the state’s headquarters of the Nigerian Police in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where the suspected abductors were paraded, the Commissioner of Police, Undie Adie disclosed that it took the spirited efforts of his men to track the kidnappers to their hideout in Ibilo, Edo State.
His words, “On the 2nd April, 2019 at about 0715hrs, one Prince Omoghae Igbegbon ‘m’ of A3 Senior Staff Quarters, Nifor, Benin City Edo State was attacked by unknown gunmen numbering six along Akunnu Akoko/Auga Akoko Road ondo State.
“The hoodlums robbed him of cash sum of one hundred and eighty five thousand naira (185,000.00) and also abducted him into the bush. The abductors demanded thirty million naira (30,000,000.00) as ransom for his release.
“On the 3rd of April, 2019, a team of Police men with members of vigilante group trailed the kidnappers to their Den at Ibilo, Edo State.
“After exchange of gun fire, the kidnappers fled to unknown destination leaving behind one pump action, one double barrel and two single barrel guns. The victim escaped to a community in Ibilo where he explained his ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers.”
Undie added that, “the Police placed the community on red alert to watch out for any strange face. Thereafter, one Ismaila Wakili ‘m’ aged 19 years, from Niger State whom the victim later recognised as one of the kidnappers was arrested and handed over to the Police.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the crime and mentioned other members of his gang.
“The suspect led a team of detectives to the hideouts of the hoodlums at Aduwawa in Benin City, Edo state where following members of the gang; Abdullahi Sanni ‘m’ aged 33years from Kogi State, Mohammed Abdullahi ‘m’ aged 36 years from Sokoto State, Umoru Usman ‘m’ aged 25years, from Kebbi state, Sheu Usman ‘m’ aged 25years from Niger State were arrested and Ismaila Wakili identified them to be members of the kidnap gang terrorising Akoko axis of Ondo State.”
He maintained that effort is on to arrest other fleeing members of the gang, while those already apprehended will be charged to court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigation.
However, one of the arrested kidnappers, Ismaila Wakili who admitted to have participated in the crime denied knowing the other four suspects he was paraded with, adding to that the operation was his first.
Meanwhile, the police boss, who gave update on the bank robbery incident that rocked Idoani community on Monday, where seven people were reportedly shot dead, revealed that investigation is on top gear towards nabbing all those involved.
He also emphasised that security measures have been scaled up around bank premises across the 18 local government areas of the state towards preventing future occurrence of similar incident.
