Police Arrest Seven Abuja-Kaduna Highway Kidnappers

• POWA harp on cyber security

Paul Obi in Abuja

The Nigerian Police thursday arrested seven kidnappers along the Abuja-Kaduna highway recovering several weapons and other dangerous items.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Jimoh Moshood, said the culprits include “Ibrahim Gurgu, 45, native of Gwagwada village Kaduna, Abdulazeez Idris 40, native of Kankara LGA of Katsina State, Shuaibu Ibrahim aka Kadi 29 and a native of Kangimi village Kaduna State, Ibrahim Isiyaku 30, native of Gwagwada village Kaduna State, Usman Datti 30 also of a native of Gwagwada village Kaduna, Kabiru Musa 27, native of Dandume LGA Katsina State, Haruna Umar, 24, native of Dandume LGA Katsina State.”

Items recovered ranged from Ak47 rifle, two locally made pistol, 30 rounds of live ammunition, one magazine, two military camouflage, three cutlasses and charms.

It would be recalled that concerned with cases of kidnappings, armed robberies and other violent crimes on Abuja-Kaduna road, the Inspector General of Police, (IG) Ibrahim K. Idris, early June made additional deployment of six hundred (600) Police personnel of Special Intervention Forces, comprising Intelligent Response Team (IRT), Special Tactical Squad (STS), Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Anti-Kidnapping Units, the Police Mobile Force (PMF) and the Counter Terrorism Units to root out these vicious and notorious kidnappers and armed robbery gangs that were responsible for many kidnappings and armed robberies along Abuja-Kaduna Highway and also identified to be responsible for other violent crimes in the FCT, Niger and Kaduna States.

Moshood explained that the arrest came as a result of “intense operations to curtail the kidnapping and other violent crime, on June 19, 2017 eight principal suspects were paraded after preliminary investigation revealed that they were responsible for several kidnappings, armed robberies and cattle rustlings on Abuja/Kaduna Highway.

“All the suspects confessed to the offence and investigation is being concluded into the various crimes and they will soon be arraigned in court.”

He added that “in furtherance of these operations, the Police Special Forces led by the Intelligence Response Team on the 8th July, 2017 and 9th July, 2017 working on available intelligence swooped on kidnappers dens in Gwagwada, kangimi and katari villages in Kaduna State and arrested all the above mentioned suspects and recovered from their possession fire arms and ammunition listed above.

“They volunteered confessional statement admitting to the various criminal roles they played in the kidnap for ransom of motorists, travellers and others innocent people along Abuja/Kaduna Highway. They will be charged to court on completion of investigation.

Meanwhile, Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) yesterday called for effective cyber security across the country to checkmate the threat posed by the menace.
POWA President, Princess Aswau Ibrahim Idris expressed concern over the growing “rate of cybercrimes” which she said, “has increased astronomically.

“And sadly, it is consistent with the growing penetration of technology. In reality, as technology expands and develop, so do cybercrime evolves.

“Therefore, it is important for security precautions to be taken to guard against cyber security breaches. Consequently, POWA is committed to helping in any way possible towards safeguarding lives and properties,” Mrs. Idris submitted.