The Nigeria Police Force has released the names of nine suspects, including two serving soldiers who kidnapped Mrs. Margaret Emiefele, wife of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele and her three aides.
The police also displayed some items and cash recovered from the suspects. They include N14, 725,000 cash, two Honda cars, one Audi car and one AK 47 magazine and two cartridges.
The soldiers among the nine suspects, who were paraded today, Monday, are Lance Corporals Musa Maidabra and Edwin George, as well as a dismissed soldier, Ernest Anthony Uduefe.
The others are: Mohammed Abubakar, who is the gang leader, Mohammed Musa, Mohammed Sule, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Aliyu Musa and Mohammed Yusuf.
Briefing news men in Abuja on behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP, Donald Awunah, said that the ransom is sometimes used as a bait or bargaining chip to save the lives of victims, which is primary to security operatives.
“The Nigeria Police Force will continue to limit the capacity of kidnappers and other criminals to disrupt the quality of life of Nigerians by the deployment of adequate manpower and resources in crime reduction, detection and effective prosecution of offenders in courts of competent jurisdiction,” Awuna said.
“It is also absolutely important to mention that the Police do not and will not encourage payment of ransom,” he said, advising relatives of victims of kidnapping to exercise “considerable caution” in such circumstances.
“It is inherently counterproductive. At all times of kidnap scenario, it is pertinent the Police are involved and trusted.” [myad]
