The Nigeria Police Force has arrested several suspects over the alleged staging of the kidnapping of a two-year-old boy and separately uncovered a suspected kidnapping and armed robbery network.
The arrests were made by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team during two separate intelligence-led investigations, according to the Force.
In the first case, the police arrested 34-year-old Nansik Wuyep Sule in connection with the alleged abduction of two-year-old Rito Jesse Davou.
The Force said investigations indicated that Sule allegedly worked with the child’s mother, Catherine Davou, to stage the kidnapping and make it appear that the boy had been abducted.
According to the police, the suspects initially demanded a ransom of N7 million, but later raised the amount to N15 million.
The Force said, “Further investigation revealed that the child was kept at Sule’s residence.”
Police also arrested Luka Emmanuel Butdam, who was allegedly involved in contacting the child’s grandmother over the ransom.
Following the investigation, the child was found and rescued safely. He was reportedly given medical attention before being reunited with his biological father.
In a separate operation, the IRT arrested Idris Mohammed, popularly known as Yellow, and Mohammed Bello Adams over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a commercial driver, Idris Zakari Baba, as well as other criminal activities.
The police alleged that Baba was lured after Mohammed reportedly hired him to transport him from Abuja to Zaria.
The Force said armed men subsequently intercepted the driver and took him into a bush, where he was held until a ransom of N3 million was paid.
Police said Baba’s 2012 Toyota Corolla was later traced to Bauchi State and recovered while Mohammed was allegedly trying to sell it.
The investigation also reportedly connected the suspects to the kidnapping of Pastor David Dahni and his driver, Abdullahi Abubakar.
The Force said a ransom of N10.5 million was allegedly paid to secure their release.
“Further investigation also linked the suspects to the reported kidnapping of Pastor David Dahni and his driver, Abdullahi Abubakar,” the police said.
The police said investigations into both cases were still ongoing, with efforts underway to arrest other individuals allegedly involved and determine the full extent of the suspects’ activities.
“The Nigeria Police Force continues to investigate the cases to identify other persons connected to the criminal activities and establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement,” the Force stated.
