By Amaechi Agbo

The Nigeria Police Force, Abuja Headquarters, on Saturday arrested and paraded Bwari Area Council-based 16 suspected kidnappers and displayed sophisticated weapons recovered from them.

In a press release signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the suspected were arrested based on their alleged involvement in kidnapping and violent crimes within the Federal Capital Territory.

Amongst the suspects paraded yesterday were three males; Idris Ishaku, Bala Umar and Dahiru Salisu all aged 27 years, who have been alleged to be responsible for series of armed robbery cases and kidnappings in the Bwari Area Council and other parts of the FCT

“Similarly, the combined team of operatives have arrested thirteen (13) suspects for various other crimes. Amongst the achievements recorded is the foiling of another kidnap plot through technical intelligence resulting in the arrest of the above-named Bwari-based kidnappers, and weapons recovered from them.

“In a proactive move, following a report on the abduction of a victim from his house along with his Hilux Van with Reg. No. RBC 90 DL Gray colour by four armed men who disguised in a white Mercedez Benz 230 car, Police Operatives in an intelligence propelled investigation discovered that the victim was being taken to Kano State, but was dispossessed of his ATM cards at Kaduna while the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) was transferred from his account.

“The suspects however ran out of luck as they were intercepted by Police operatives at a filling station in Kaduna where three of them escaped, while one by the name Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael was arrested, the victim rescued unhurt, and the said Hilux Van recovered. It was discovered that Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael and his accomplices had earlier been arrested sometime in November 2023 and charged for similar offences, at the High Court, Kwali, Abuja, but went back to committing even worse crimes while on court bail,” the Force statement reads in part.

Also, operatives of the DFI-IRT office intercepted one Everest Magaji, a gunrunner, during negotiation with some notorious bandits who are currently at large, for the purchase and supply of illicit firearms and ammunition. Eleven (11) Pistols, and Two (2) Pump Action Guns were recovered from the suspect.

“The achievements recorded through these relentless operations demonstrate the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Ph.D., NPM, to ensure our country becomes a safe haven for us to inhabit. The IGP urges all citizens to be very observant of their environs and the people in it, and report any suspicious activity immediately to the police,” the statement concluded