POLICE DETAIN SYNDICATES SUSPECTED OF ROBBERY AND KIDNAPPING

After tracking them to the states of Kano, Abuja, Nasarawa, and Gombe, Rivers State Police command agents have detained alleged armed robbery and kidnapping syndicates.

In a statement released in Port Harcourt yesterday, the state’s police public relations officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, listed those arrested as Tamunor Kubie Okari, 23, of Okrika in Rivers State; Vincent Kobani, 20, of the Gokana local government area of Rivers State; and Monima George, 22, of Buguma in the Asari Toru local government area of Rivers State.

Others include Ibrahim Abubakar, Nuhu Ahmed, and Abdullahi, all of whom are from the Yola South local government area of Adamawa State. Shehu Shagari, 33, is from Kaduna South, Kaduna State; Hamisu Babangida, based in Port Harcourt; and Ibrahim Abubakar, 37, is from Kala, a local government area in Bornu State.

According to the statement, the suspects had six firearms, 30 rounds of ammunition, and three cars.

Part of it reads: “In the course of investigating a case of kidnapping and armed robbery reported on January 15, 2023, operations of the C4i Intelligence Unit of the Rivers State Police command traveled to the Kano State on Friday, May 12, 2023, and successfully achieved the arrest of one Abdullahi Ibrahim.

“During the procedure, the team discovered two vehicles, both thought to have been taken from Port Harcourt: a black 2010 Toyota Matrix with registration number SPR 283 TA and a blue 2008 Toyota Camry with registration number ABC 49 AT.

Following the arrest, police officers were able to track down and apprehend Okari from Okrika in Rivers State, Kobani from Gokana local government area in Rivers State, and George from Buguma in Asari Toru local government area in Rivers State, who were his co-conspirators.

“Upon his arrest at Victoria Street in Port Harcourt, Vincent Kobani had three pistols built in the area, along with two live rounds.

“The suspects admitted to the act and gave a detailed account of how they abducted the Toyota Matrix from one of their victims before using his GT Bank ATM card to withdraw N209,000 as payment.