Police have arrested ex Okene local government councillor, Iliyasu Suleiman, and others in connection with the kidnapping of the mother of governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state in 2014.
The kidnap gang members, described by the police as “vicious” and who members of an armed robbery gang are also, were alleged to have been responsible for kidnapping of the mother of Governor Yahaya Bello. They were also alleged to be responsible for several other kidnappings and robberies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Niger and Kogi states.
The suspects, who were paraded yesterday, Tuesday, by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood are:
- Hon. Iliyasu Suleiman ‘M’ 44 years (former Councilor Okene LGA) (gang leader)
- Danjuma Ibrahim a.k.a Akpai /Senate 26 years
- Iliyasu Obadaki a.k.a Doctor 35 years
- Alhaji Nasiru ‘M’ 43 years
- Hafiz Yakubu ‘M’ 26 years
- Mohammed Jamiu aka Bomboy (killed in a gun duel with SARS)
Moshood said that the police officers recovered many dangerous weapons from the suspects. They include two 2 AK 47 rifles, twenty live cartridges, one army camouflage inner wear, two army camouflage pair of trousers, two army camouflage caps, one (1) black Barrett, two plastic gun, three sharp knives and one axe.
The police also uncovered assorted, charms including earthen pots, amulets and others.
The Force PRO said that their arrest followed the directive by the Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim to track down the kidnappers of the governor’s mother.
He said that the operatives of IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT) swung into action after the earlier arrest of Danladi Ibrahim aka Akpai, in follow up to his confession on several robberies and kidnaping in Kogi, Abuja, and Niger States
“The IRT teams were deployed to Kogi State and eventually three more members of the deadly Kidnapping/Terrorist gang were arrested in Okene Kogi state, namely:
Hon. Iliyasu Suleiman ‘M’ 44 years, old native of Okene town and former Councillor in Okene LGA. He is the gang leader of the kidnapers that kidnapped Governor Yaya Bello’s Mother.
Danjuma Ibrahim a.k.a Akpai 26 ‘M’ years was arrested by IRT personnel. He confessed to other several kidnappings and armed robberies in Abuja, Niger and Kogi States. and after a painstaking investigation, his confession led to the arrest of two (2) more of his kidnap gang members in Okene, Hon. Iliyasu Suleiman and Iliyasu Obadaki a.k.a Doctor
Iii. Iliyasu Obadaki a.k.a Doctor 35 years was arrested in Okene a member of Hon. Iliyasu Suleiman’s Kidnap gang
Alhaji Nasiru ‘M’ 43 years a native of Inike village in suleja, Niger State. He is a member of Danjuma’s robbery gang and keeps custody of the gang’s arms and ammunition
Hafiz Yakubu ‘M’ 26 years native of Okene LGA, arrested in Okene for several robberies and part of Danjuma’s robbery gang
Mohammed Jamiu a.k.a Bomboy (killed in gun duel with SARS)
“All the suspects arrested have confessed to the kidnapping of Governor Yahaya Bello’s mother in 2014 and many other robberies and kidnappings in FCT, Kogi and Niger States. Effort is being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the gang. They will be charged to court on completion of investigation.”
The Force PRO asked members of the public to cooperate with the Police personnel deployed in their localities and give useful information to prevent crime and criminality in their localities. [myad]
