By Ahmed Ajikobi
Two suspected kidnappers of four Turkish nationals, who had been at large since 2019, have been arrested by men of Kwara State Police Command.
The suspects are 29-year-old Umaru Mohammed Tambaya and 26- year-old Muhammed Tambaya.
The duo was involved in the kidnapping of the Turkish nationals identified as Yasin Colak, 33; Senerapal, 40; Ergun Yurdakul, 35 and Seyit Keklik, 25, two years ago.
The Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Lawal Bagega during the parade at the command headquarters recalled that in the month of July, 2019 four Turkish nationals were kidnapped by a six armed gang at Gbugbu village in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.
He said that four of the kidnappers were earlier arrested with one AK 47 riffle, while the victims were rescued alive without payment of ransom.
“The arrested kidnappers mentioned the two suspects who has escaped, as being members of their syndicate.
“Ever since then, the Command has been in the search for the two fleeing suspects. Intelligence however indicated that the suspects were planning to carry out another operation and my operatives swoop in on them and were arrested.
“During investigation, the suspects confessed to be members of the kidnap syndicate that abducted the four Turkish citizens, they also confessed to have participated in several other kidnap incidents especially along Enugu/Abakaliki axis of the South East of the country.
“Investigation is still ongoing to arrest other syndicate members and recover their operational weapons. They will soon be charged to court.”
Bagega stated further that, in a renewed aggressive motorised and foot patrol by the officers and men of the Command, foot patrol men attached to Oreke Division intercepted an Okada rider suspected to be a Fulani by physical feature along Oreke/Babanla Road.
“While being questioned, the suspect zoomed off with his motorcycle and in the process a black sack fell off his motorcycle, the sack was searched and two AK 47 riffles without magazines and ammunition were found. Effort is in progress to arrest the fleeing suspect.”
Also paraded is one Abbey Adeyeye who was arrested penultimate Thursday for stealing a Golf cart vehicle with registration number PTG 01 XA parked in front of the owner’s house at Gbugbu village via Lafiagi.
The CP explained that “Edwin Nwakanude reported at the Lafiagi police station, that he woke up to discovered that his vehicle has been taken away by unknown person. On the strength of the report, men of the Lafiagi division and members of vigilante accosted the suspect along Ndaku/ Isanlu bush road that leads to kogi State.
“During interrogation he confessed to have stolen the vehicle easily being an electrician. Investigation is still in progress to recover two other vehicles he had earlier stolen and sold in Lokoja, Kogi State.”
Two other suspects Sunday Babatunde and Adebisi Olatunde both of Ibafo, Ogun state were also paraded for being possession of stolen vehicles.
Bagega added that the duo was arrested by police for being in possession of one Toyota Yaris with REG NO. EPE971DY & CHASSIS NO. JTDBW923001059823, colour black suspected to be stolen.
“A team of Anti-car theft operatives led by DSP. Charles Nwokolo attached to the state CID, Ilorin swung into action and apprehended the suspects at Ipata Oloje area of Ilorin.
“On interrogation the suspects confessed to have snatched the vehicle at gun point from one Adekoya Ayodele of Ejigunagbede, Ogun State between 17/01/2021 and 18/01/2021 at about 0200hrs at Ibafo, Ogun State.
“The suspects will be charged to court after completion of the investigation.”
Among those paraded is Akinsola Babatunde popularly known as “Mr White” who was arrested for organizing nude parties in lounges, club houses within Ilorin metropolis.
“Operative of the state Intelligence Bureau attached to the command carried out a sting operation involving tactical undercover and arrested the said Mr. White who had advertised a strip party in Ilorin on social media and successfully organized a party in a service apartment at Joab Street, behind Shoprite GRA, Ilorin.
“The immoral and illegal action of Mr. White and his accomplices clearly contradicted the Covid-19 protocol and equally promotes crime and criminality.
“Effort is ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang and they will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is completed.”
