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| DSS operatives |
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 terrorizing
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.
The
Nation report continues:
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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