The Department of State Services (DSS) has burst a number of kidnap syndicates and arrested some of the masterminds of the gangs across the states.
The gangs have been terrorising their victims and members of the public, particularly in the South-South, South-West and the North-West zones of the country in the last few months.
Some of the victims were raped, maimed or murdered by the gang members, thereby inflicting psychological pains, humiliation and grief on the victims and their families, even after collecting huge sums in ransom from their families.
A statement yesterday by the Acting spokesman of the DSS, Mr. Tony Opuiyo said the suspects were arrested in special tactical operations across flash point states.
Among the suspects arrested were Victor Afikparobo of the Federa Gang operating within Ikorodu/Otta axis in Lagos and Ogun states. He was arrested alongside some of his gang members on July 20.
John Felix, Rowson Anufa and Obukoko Emoabe operating along Lagos-Ikorodu Road and Owo in Ondo state were also arrested on July 22.
The statement said, “On 24th July, 2015, about 0230 hours, at Uduere, village in Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, one Joseph Ojobor, aka chairman was also arrested. Subject is the leader of the Lagos cell of the “Federa” kidnap syndicate. He had also been linked to some incidents of illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism.
“Also, on the same 24th July, 2015, about 0500 hours, the team arrested another member of the Lagos cell of the “Federa” kidnap syndicate, one Timothy Japhet in his house at Onokpasa Avenue in Okhan village in Ughelli North LGA, Delta State.
“Earlier, on 19th July, 2015, another member of the notorious gang, one Howell Anufa was apprehended by the Service. The suspect was instrumental to the kidnap of the Regent of Akungba in Ondo State.
“Anufa also participated in the spate of kidnap incidents, carried out by the gang in Lagos and Ogun states respectively, before he relocated to Warri, Delta State, where he was eventually arrested.
“Furthermore, same date, the Service arrested one member of the Ekiti kidnap syndicate, Ayodeji Oluwafemi. Also, one Rachael Oladapo, a female, who was used by the gang as a reconnaissance spy and informant, was equally apprehended.
“In a follow-up tactical raid in Ekiti State, five (5) other members of the notorious Ekiti kidnap gang were intercepted by operatives of the DSS. They are Felix Omaiwa, Bose Ajayi, Tope Gabriel, Olayemi Ogunmola and Damilola Obamoyegun.
“Also, on 26th July, 2015, about 2000 hours, at Ibokun in Obokun LGA, Osun State, Service tactical team arrested three (3) kidnap suspects, Owolabi Olarewaju (aka Owo Blow), Olajide Ayobami (aka Gongo aso) and Gbenga David (aka Oruma)”.
The DSS also said another gang member, operating within Abia and Imo state axis, Henry Chibueze was arrested on July 16. He was described as a ruthless criminal who derived joy in shooting his victims in the leg whenever there was delay in ransom payment.Chibueze was said to have been arrested at his hideout in Ohafia, Abia State, where he was being treated for an injury he sustained when he escaped during an earlier operation in Owerri, Imo State.
Also in the net is Akeem Bello, a lance-corporal who deserted his unit in the Nigerian Army when he was deployed in Maiduguri, only to join vampire’s kidnap gang.
“Between 19– 20th July, 2015, at varied locations in Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State, the Service apprehended four (4) suspected kidnappers of one Maryam Mohammed Rabiu, the daughter of Mohammed Rabiu who was abducted on 13th July 2015.
“The gang has been identified as the syndicate which perpetrated the recent kidnap of Abbas Mohammed Jega, the driver of the brother of Attahiru Jega (Prof), former Chairman of INEC.
“The gang in its bid to evade detection, used one of the three (3) mobile phones stolen earlier from Maryam Rabiu, to establish contact with the family, in which they demanded a ransom of Twenty Million Naira (N20m).
“On 24th July, 2015, at Mailaka village of Danko-Wasagu LGA, the Service also arrested three (3) key members of another kidnap syndicate operating across Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, FCT, Kwara and Oyo States.
“These elements are Umar Gide (Dudu), Ibrahim Mugu and Baban Garna Dudu was found to be involved in the kidnap of the daughter of former Council Chairman of Danko-Wasaju LGA and the mother of the Post-Master General of the Federation, among several others.
“Another member of the gang, Mohammed Sani, a.k.a Sani Maja, was arrested by the Service in Zamfara State,” the statement added.
The DSS said the operations were still ongoing to arrest fleeing members of some of the identified kidnap gangs and others hibernating at various areas across the federation.
The service added that judicial processes were being perfected to arraign the suspects in court.
It assured the citizenry that it would not relent in its efforts to checkmate the activities of any criminal gang that terrorising innocent citizens anywhere in the country.
The DSS urged members of the public to freely volunteer useful information that could assist in apprehending members of the criminal gangs anywhere they may be hiding.
The service assured that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality and dispatch.
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