…as kidnappers of Niger Commissioner demand N500m
The Ogun State Police Command said on Wednesday it has arrested a teenage herdsman with one AK-47 rifle.
In Niger State, gunmen who abducted the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Muhammad Idris, have demanded a ransom of N500 million before he will be released.
The suspected armed herder, simply identified as Mohammed, was arrested while hiding in a forest with the AK-47 rifle. His exact age has not been ascertained, according to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who announced this in a statement.
He said that the arrest of the suspect followed information received by the Divisional Police Officer, Imeko Divisional Headquarters.
According to the PPRO, the police got information that that two young Fulani herdsmen were seen at CAC Oha forest Iwoye-Ketu in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area with AK-47 rifle.
“Upon the information, the DPO quickly mobilised his men, other stakeholders like the hunters, vigilante men, So-Safe Corps and stormed the said forest,” he said.
“After hours of combing the forest, one Mohammed was seen hiding in the bush with one AK-47 rifle, and was promptly arrested.
“The arrested armed boy is strongly suspected to be a member of kidnap syndicates who have been terrorising the area for quite some time now.”
He added that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Ajogun, had ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation.
Ajogun has directed the Police to comb the entire forest properly to apprehend other members of Mohammed’s gang, Oyeyemi added.
The Niger Commissioner was abducted on Sunday in his hometown, Baban Tunga in Tafa Local Government Area of the state, while his abductors reached out to his family on Tuesday and made their demand.
