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A 52-year-old pastor named Adetokumbo Adenopo has been arrested for alleged kidnapping by Police Operatives attached to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
Adenopo was said to be a Founder and General Overseer of a church known as “New Life Ministry” located at Lukosi, in Shagamu Area of Ogun State.
The criminal minded pastor was arrested alongside three others said to be members his criminal gang namely; 22-year-old Chigozie Williams, 30-year-old Ugoji Linus and 27-year-old Emmanuel Chris who are natives of Umuahia North, Abia State, Ezinifite in Imo State and Aniri in Enugu State respectively.
According to a statement on Wednesday by Force Spokesperson, Frank Mba, the four suspects were “responsible for the kidnap for ransom of one Jonathan Ekpo ‘m’ 35years from Benue State”.
Mba said the suspected criminal pastor curiously told the Police operatives that “he embarked on the crime for the expansion of his church and charity works.
“The victim, an employee of a logistic company was kidnapped on 17th July, 2020 while on official duty to deliver goods in Shagamu, Ogun State,” he noted.
“The victim was kept in an underground cabin inside the Pastor’s church building in Ogijo town, Ogun State by his abductors who demanded the payment of twenty million naira ransom as condition for his release.
“He was subsequently rescued unhurt nine days after and reunited with his family by the Police.”
The Force spokesperson further disclosed that the Police similarly “arrested one Udodiri Bright aka Ability ‘m’ 30years old, native of Osuachara Village, Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo state and three others, Ekwuru Shadrack aka Escobar ‘m’ 26years native of Arondizuogu village in Okigwe LGA of Imo state, Chimerie Igwe aka 4real ‘m’ 30years old, native of Umucheke Village in Orlu LGA of Imo State and Chibuike Sunday, 28years old from Arondizuogu of Imo State”.
According to him, they were arrested on the 5th of July, 2020 for the abduction and killing of a Nigerian US Soldier, Chuks Okebata who came into Nigeria for holidays in his home town, Okigwe, Imo State in 2017.
“The suspects who are one of the foremost kidnapping groups terrorizing the South Eastern part of the country were arrested 31 months after, following intensive manhunt by the Police team,” he added.
“The Police team also arrested a 9-man trans-boundary armed robbery and car snatching syndicate led by one Yakubu Hayatu, 30years from Borno State. Members of the gang include; Adamu Awalu, 28years from Kano State, Abdulrahman Yakubu, 23years from Zaria, Yususf Adamu, 22years from Zaria, Kamal Japhet, 22years from Katsina, Abubakar Samaila, 20years from Zaria, Muhammadu Abdulahi, 20years from Zaria, Yahaya Mohammed, 18years from Kaduna State, Ibrahim Abubakar, 21years from Kwara.
“Investigations reveal that the syndicate has snatched over thirty exotic cars at gun point and killed two Policemen. They use anti-tracker devices to evade arrest and deliver the vehicles to one Alhaji Garba in Maradi, Niger Republic.
“Eighteen vehicles have so far been recovered by the Police team. The team is working with the INTERPOL to apprehend Alhaji Garba and to recover the remaining vehicles.
“Exhibits recovered include: 4 Ak47 Rifles, 1 FMC rifle, 1 Pump Action Gun, 2 double barrel guns, 1 Beretta pistol, 4 AK47 Magazine, 6 cartridges, 378 Rounds of live Ammunition, 1 Network Jammer (anti-tracker device), Others.”
Mba said the arrests of all the suspected criminals were “sequel to the unrelenting efforts by the Force to rid the country of heinous criminals and to get justice for victims of these crimes”.
He said the suspects will be charged to court on conclusion of investigations.
According to him, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu assured that the battle against criminal elements in the country is a continuous one.
