Suspected Kidnappers Arrested While Sharing Ransom In Kogi

Local vigilantes have arrested two suspected members of a four-man kidnapping gang operating along the boundary areas between Kogi and Enugu states.

Report from the area said the vigilantes and hunters acted on a tip-off and stormed the gang’s hideout in Egabada forest and arrested two members while they were sharing ransom collected from a victim.

The operation, allegedly coordinated by the SSA to the Kogi State Governor on Zonal Security, Idah Federal Constituency, led to the arrest of Salisu Ladan and Sumaila Abuh in the forest.

Two other members of the gang, identified as Babunga and Zafari reportedly escaped during the operation.

“The four-man kidnapping gang have taken over the forest of Egabada and Odolu, terrorising residents and travellers along the route that links Kogi to Enugu State.

“They successfully received ransom and released the victims. But luck ran against them while they were sharing the proceeds in Egabada forest, local vigilantes and hunters invaded their hideout and arrested two members, Salisu Ladan and Sumaila Abuh,” a community source said.

The source added that the suspects have been handed over to the authorities for further investigation.

“The two arrested suspects have been transferred to State CID for further action. Efforts are still ongoing to arrest the rest,” the source said.

The two suspects confessed to the crime in a video clip, saying they received N200,000 ransom from a victim kidnapped at the weekend.

“I came to Egabada community to look for job. I’m a labourer from Lokoja. We only kidnapped one person, and collected N200,000 from him. I carried a cutlass, not gun during the operation. I don’t use gun in operation,” Ladan, one of the arrested suspects, said.

However, the Kogi State Police Command was contancted via text message over the incident, but its spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, did not respond as at the time of filing this report. (Daily trust)