THE POLICE Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has arrested four suspects over alleged kidnapping and destroyed their hideout.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the FCT, Mr Ahmed Sanusi said this at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.
Sanusi said the suspects were arrested following an anti-kidnapping and rescue operation he led on June 9 and a follow-up tactical operation on June 11.
He said the four suspected kidnappers, informants, drug dealers and logistics suppliers to bandits were arrested when operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed their hideout in the Byazhin area in Kubwa, Bwari Area Council
“During the operation, we stormed a suspected banditry and kidnapping hideout within the same area and arrested four suspects.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they use the location as a convergence point where armed bandits meet with them.
“The suspects also said that they use the location to coordinate movements and relay information on intended targets and subsequent attack locations,” he said.
The commissioner added that the suspects admitted to providing logistical support, including food, medical assistance, illicit drugs, and other supplies to the armed suspects operating in the surrounding areas.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are part of a criminal network involved in kidnapping and banditry activities within and around the FCT.
“Further investigations revealed that the group had infiltrated and integrated into the local community, enabling them to gather intelligence and coordinate repeated attacks on targeted persons and locations,” he said.
Sanusi further said that one of the suspects, a heavily pregnant female, operated as a logistics supplier and cook for the criminal gang and their hostages.
He said that the female suspect, who was heavily pregnant at the time of arrest had delivered a healthy baby while in police custody.
The CP said adequate medical attention was being provided for both the suspect and the child.
He revealed that four motorcycles, 31 pieces of 500mg tablets of tramadol, 10 pieces of 50mg tablets of tramadol, N320,000 cash, five phones, one POS machine and cooking utensils were recovered from the suspects.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the demolition operation and razing down of the the kidnappers’ hideout was led by the CP.
NAN also reports that the operation was carried out by the command in partnership with the Development Control Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCDA).
The commissioner told newsmen during the operation that the hideout was located at the border area between the FCT, Niger and Kaduna States.
Sanusi said the command would take over the demolished site to ensure that the kidnappers were permanently out of the area. (NAN)
