Three suspected kidnappers arrested in Niger
The Niger State Police Command has arrested three suspects for the kidnapping children in Suleja Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued by the police spokesperson in the state, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, and made available to our correspondent in Minna on Thursday, stated that the suspects were arrested in Abuja.
Two of the suspects, Ebuka Saviour, 20, and Mary Peter, 25, were at Tunga-Maje via Gwagwalada area of FCT Abuja on January 20, 2023, and February 18, 2023, respectively while one Chinwe Egwu, 49, was arrested in Lugbe on March 13, 2023.
Abiodun revealed that the suspects had been involved in the kidnap of two siblings aged three and five, from their home in Suleja area of the state last year.
Abiodun stated that after the suspects kidnapped the children, they took them to an orphanage home in Abuja, where they were paid some money.
“During interrogation, Saviour confessed to have conspired with one Ifeoma and Patience, both presently at large to perpetrate the act. Ifeoma agreed to pay him and Patience two hundred and fifty thousand naira each, but she had only paid Patience while he is yet to be paid.
“He said the children were abducted and taken to Ifeoma at the same address where she had an illegal orphanage home called ‘Famous Kids home’ but Ifeoma later left for an unknown destination and transferred the children to another person.”
Abiodun stated that the abducted children were transferred to another orphanage home in Lugbe area of Abuja, where they were eventually rescued by the police.
“The Police operatives intensified efforts on the investigation and later identified one Chinwe Egwu 49yrs of Lugbe area Abuja as the illegal custodian of the children. The team proceeded to Lugbe, where the said Chinwe was arrested on March 13, 2023, and she was found to be in charge of one Adorable Orphanage Home where seven children were rescued, including the two reportedly abducted children, Abdullahi Umar aged five and Rahamat Umar aged three.
The police spokesman added that the five other children rescued along side the two siblings have been handed over to the welfare department of the FCT.
“Five children among the seven rescued were immediately handed over to the Social Welfare Department of FCT. Fortunately, three other children who were abducted from different locations in Suleja and Tafa were equally rescued from the said Chinwe on 14/03/2023 due to her confessions.
He further stated that efforts are being made to arrest the other suspects at large.
“Effort is ongoing to arrest the said Ifeoma and Patience, as the case is under investigation, and suspects arrested so far will be prosecuted accordingly as soon as the investigation is concluded.”