Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Wike, yesterday, placed a N20 million bounty on three suspected kidnappers, who are at large.
The minister, who disclosed this during a parade of suspected kidnappers and other criminal elements by FCT Police Commissioner, Ben Igweh, noted that the days of insecurity and tension in the capital city are over.
Speaking at Command Headquarters, Garki, Abuja, Wike urged the police to deploy more intelligence to stamp out all forms of criminality in Abuja.
“Go all out and fish out the three remaining kidnappers wherever they are. I put a N20 million bounty on their heads. Everyday is for the thief, but one day is for the owner of the house. They have terrorised us enough. Since they said we will not sleep, they will not sleep too,” he said.
Commending the FCT police boss, the minister said: “When you were posted to Port Harcourt, I knew what you did. So, when you were posted here, I was confident. Please, do more on intelligence gathering.”
Igweh said the police arrested 23 suspects, while N9 million cash and six AK-47 rifles were recovered.
He said: “In an attempt to rid the city of criminality, the FCT Police Command arrested some suspects for several offences, which I shall be reading out. On February 11, at about 4:00 p.m., police operatives attached to Mabushi Divisional Headquarters arrested eight notorious armed robbery suspects, who had been terrorising FCT residents, namely: Auwal Yusuf (an ex-convict), Ismail Hudu, Sylvester Poto, Abdusalam Mamuda, Sunday Udoma (Akido), Ifeoma Ngoze Obodo, Chocolate Sarah, and Mohammed Telegbe.”
Igweh said the suspects, who were responsible for several ‘one chance’ activities in the past, were trailed to the Central Area where they attempted to rob some innocent residents, and were promptly arrested.
He said the suspects confessed to using toy guns and knives to scare their victims, adding that they will soon be charged to court.
He added: “On February 13, at about 5:00 p.m., acting on credible intelligence, police operatives at Utako Divisional Headquarters, in concert with the anti-kidnapping unit of the command, arrested seven suspects, namely: Usman Mu’azu, Aliyu Muhammed, Auwal Lahiru, Rabiu Sani, Madina Abubakar, Jonah Elimelechi, and Saminu Idris.
“They were arrested in Pyankasa, Tudun Wada, and Ketti Village, in connection with the abduction of 14 persons. These kidnappers who have been giving the FCT sleepless nights and have been on the wanted list of the command for a long time, have now been arrested.
“They are responsible for the kidnapping of five victims at Federal Mortgage Housing Estate, Kabusa; three persons at Ketti village; Fulani residents of Alhaji Sani; a woman and her gateman at Kabusa Estate; one Sunday Zakwai; and four others. They equally killed the district head, while two staff were kidnapped at Defence Estate, Kabusa.”
