Suspected kidnap ringleader arrested in Benue

A combined team of policemen from Benue and Enugu states have apprehended a suspected kidnapper’s gang leader identified as Yusuf Muhamed, in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to residents of the area, the suspect and his group had been terrorising some communities in the local government, leading the chairman of the local government to impose a curfew in the council.

One of the residents, Mike Agbo, said that the gang leader and others were apprehended during the week.

Agbo said, “The suspect’s identity was confirmed by three kidnapped victims who revealed that Muhamed was the officer in charge of torture in the kidnappers’ camp. His easy identification is a result of his bad left hand.”

Confirming the incident on Saturday, the Chairman of Ogbadibo LGA, Sunday Ajunwa, said that the kidnapper’s gang leader was arrested by combined teams of policemen and vigilance group in the area.

The chairman said, “It is true that Yusuf has been arrested by the combined team of Police from Makurdi and Enugu, as well as the vigilantes in the area.

“He attempted to run, but the youths pursued and caught him. Those he kidnapped made a confessional statement of how he tortured them in captivity.”

The chairman added that the suspect, alongside 21 other suspects, was in police custody.

Ajunwa also lamented the rampant insecurity in his council, but stated that the security situation in the area has improved.

“The security situation in Orokam is stable, though the curfew from 6 pm to 6 am is still enforced. But I am thinking of lifting it after meeting with security agencies and stakeholders,” the chairman added.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for the State Command, Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive the report.

Edet said, “Please, what do you want to confirm? I’m yet to confirm it. When I get news of it, it will be related.”

Punch