Nearly N15m, along with three motor
vehicles and an AK 47 rifle, were recovered from the nine kidnappers of
Margaret Emefiele, wife of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN), Godwin Emefiele, who was rescued last week, the Nigeria Police
confirmed on Monday.
At a press briefing on Monday addressed
by DCP Don N. Awunah, the police Public Relations Officer, he named the
nine suspects, who are now under arrest, as including two soldiers. He
said the gang, aged 26-36, was led by one Mohammed Abubakar (aka Dogo),
29.
i. Lance Corporal Musa Maidabra ‘M’ 28 years
ii. Lance Corporal Edwin George ‘M’
iii. Ernest Anthony Uduefe ‘M’ 32 years (dismissed Soldier)
iv. Mohammed Abubakar A.K.A Dogo ‘M’ 29 years (Gang Leader)
v. Mohammed Musa ‘M’ 26 years
vi. Mohammed Sule ‘M’ 26 years
vii. Ibrahim Abdullahi ‘M’ 30 years
viii. Aliyu Musa ‘M’ 30 years
ix. Mohammed Yusuf ‘M’ 36 years
“The
Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NMP, is committed in
ensuring that all forms of crime, fear of crime and particularly kidnap
for ransom and other violent crimes are brought to the lowest ebb
throughout the country,” the statement affirmed.
It added that
the IGP was determined to make sure that all those who are engaged in
kidnappings, abductions and armed criminal activities will not escape
justice, to which end the police will galvanize available resources at
its disposal to make sure miscreants, hoodlums and deviants have their
day with the law.
“Against this background, the IGP had ordered
the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and other tactical teams to swing
into action to rescue Mrs. Margaret Emiefele, the wife of the Central
Bank Governor unhurt and apprehend all those remotely or directly
responsible for the dastardly act,” DCP Awunah said.
Mrs.
Emiefele and three of her aides were abducted on Benin-Agbor Road in
Delta State on September 29 but were swiftly rescued the following the
day.
“The Nigeria Police Force will continue to limit the
capacity of kidnappers and other criminals to disrupt the quality of
life of Nigerians by the deployment of adequate manpower and resources
in crime reduction, detection and effective prosecution of offenders in
courts of competent jurisdiction,” Mr. Nwanah said.
While
confirming that a ransom was paid for Mrs. Emefiele, he said it is a
tool that is sometimes used as a bait or bargaining chip to save the
lives of the victims of crime.
“It is also absolutely important
to mention that the Police do not and will not encourage payment of
ransom,” he said, advising relatives of victims of kidnapping to
exercise “considerable caution” in such circumstances.
“It is
inherently counterproductive,” the statement stressed. “At all times of
kidnap scenario, it is pertinent the Police are involved and trusted.”
Post a Comment