By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
THE Bayelsa State Police Command, on Monday, paraded a gang responsible for the kidnap of over 10 high profile kidnap saga and the collection of ransoms in the last seven years.
Stonix News reports that in what appears as the first time in the history of kidnapping, the Nigeria Police Force, through CP Ben Nobolisa Okolo during the parade, acknowledged the payment of ransoms by the kidnap victims.
He reeled out the names of the victims, who were kidnapped and paid huge ransoms for their freedom, to include Akeeb Oladele Olushola and Danjuma Omeje – both bank mangers.
According to the CP, “on 8th December, 2020, one Akeeb Oladele Olushola ‘m’ 48 years a Manager of a new generation Bank was kidnapped at his residence at Old Commissioners Quarters, Opolo; he was released on the 12th December after paying a ransom of N80 million.
“Similarly, Danjuma Omeje, 41, a Manager of a new generation Bank in Yenagoa was kidnap at his residence at Okaka, Yenagoa, on 30th June 2022; he was released on 14th July 2022 after paying a ransom of 60 million naira – N30 million in cash and US Dollar equivalent of N30 million.”
CP Okolo, who said it took him some painstaking efforts to restrategise the security architecture when he took over, also reeled out three members of the kidnap gang allegedly responsible for the heinous crime in the state.
The suspects, he stated, included Emmanuel Charles Angase, John Ikechukwu Ewa (whose video of arrest went viral on Sunday) and Innocent Kingsley,
Giving details of the suspects, CP Okolo said: “Emmanuel Charles Angase ‘m’ 37 years, a native of Azuzuama Community, Southern Ijaw LGA, the leader of the kidnapping gang.
“He operates a kidnapping camp at Sunikiri creek near Oluasiri in Nembe Local Government Area with his second in command one Gbalipre Gamage now at large.
“Police operatives recovered a brand new Toyota Avalon he bought for his wife with the proceed of ransom he collected.
“The gang leader Emmanuel Charles Angase has confessed that on 30th June 2022 at about 0600 hours, himself, John Ewa and others at large accosted Danjuma Omeje at the entrance of his house at Okaka, kidnap him and fled in a Blue Toyota Corolla Car with REG NO KJA 225 AY.
“They took the victim to his camp at Sunikiri Oluasiri, and released him on 14th July 2022 after collecting N60 million ransom.
“The suspect also confessed to the kidnap of Akeeb Oladele Olusola a banker and Nancy Keme Dickson, who was kidnap on 26th December 2015. He also confessed to the kidnap of Chinonso Eze and other Igbo Business men.
“John Ikechukwu Ewa ‘m’ 30 years aka John Lion, (the acclaimed Abuja Socialite) a native of Eruan Community in Boki LGA, Cross River State, known for flamboyant lifestyle on Social Media, a former cleaner with a new generation Bank, confessed to have collected 10,000 US Dollars from the ransom collected in the kidnap of Danjuma Omeje.
“Innocent Kingsley ‘m’ 31 years, a native of Egbu Community Itche LGA, Rivers State. The owner of a Blue Toyota Corolla Car with REG NO KJA 225 AY and one Timi Werikumo ‘m’ 21 years, a native of Azuzuama Community Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State.”
He also paraded other suspects in connection with cultism, murder, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and pipeline vandalism.
CP Okolo, who was assisted by other senior police officers during the exercise, said all the suspects would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.
“The Bayelsa State Police Command, under my watch, has firmly resolved to make the state uncomfortable for criminals.
“Our officers are determined more than ever to rid the state of criminal elements and to ensure our communities are safer for businesses and economic activities to thrive,” he vowed.
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