Police Bust Kidnap Syndicate, Rescue 10 Minors In North-Central Nigeria

The police in Niger State, North-central  Nigeria, have busted a kidnap syndicate and rescued their 10 children, and arrested three suspects.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, March 23, 2023, said the arrest was sequel to the abduction of two children, Abdullahi Umar, 5, and Rahamat Umar, 3, last October in Suleja.

The image maker said two suspects, Savior Ebuka and Mary Peter, were arrested in Gwagawalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“Further interrogation and investigation led to the arrest of Chinwe Egwu, in Lugbe area of FCT. She was found to be in charge of one Adorable Orphanage home, where seven children were rescued, including the two abducted in Suleja.

“It could be recalled that on 20/10/2022 at about 1125hrs, an incident of suspected abduction of two children was reported at ‘B’ Div. Suleja, that on 19/10/2022 at about 2100hrs, two children of age 5/3yrs, both m/f of water board area of Suleja were missing and were suspected to have been taken away by a new tenant who just moved into the compound,” the statement read.

“However, the landlord and agent who leased the apartment to the suspected tenant were invited for interrogation, as the matter was transferred to SCID Minna for discreet investigation.

“In the course of painstaking investigation, the Anti-kidnapping unit of the Command trailed the suspects and arrested one Saviour Ebuka 20yrs and Mary Peter 25yrs at Tunga-Maje via Gwagwalada area of FCT Abuja on 20/01/2023 and 18/02/2023 respectively.

“During interrogation, Saviour confessed to having conspired with one Ifeoma and Patience, both presently at large to perpetrate the act, because Ifeoma agreed to pay him and Patience two hundred and fifty thousand naira each, but she had only paid Patience while he is yet to be paid.

“He said the children were abducted and taken to Ifeoma at the same address where she had an illegal orphanage home called “Famous Kids home” but Ifeoma later left for an unknown destination and transferred the children to another person.

“The Police operatives intensified efforts on the investigation and later identified one Chinwe Egwu, 49yrs of Lugbe area Abuja as the illegal custodian of the children.

“The team proceeded to Lugbe, where the said Chinwe was arrested on 13/03/2023, and she was found to be in charge of one Adorable Orphanage home, where seven children were rescued, including the two reportedly abducted children, Abdullahi Umar 5yr, and Rahamat Umar 3yrs.

“Five children among the seven rescued were immediately handed over to the Social Welfare Department of FCT. Fortunately, three other children who were abducted from different locations in Suleja and Tafa were equally rescued from the said Chinwe on 14/03/2023 due to her confessions.

“Effort is ongoing to arrest the said Ifeoma and Patience, as the case is under investigation, and suspects arrested so far will be prosecuted accordingly as soon as the investigation is concluded.”