Police Arrest 41 Kidnap Suspects

L-R: Vice President Namadi Sambo, Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto State and his Kaduna State counterpart, Governor Patrick Yakowa at the valedictary session organised by the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) in honour of the Vice President, in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: NAN

L-R: Vice President Namadi Sambo, Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto State and his Kaduna State counterpart, Governor Patrick Yakowa at the valedictary session organised by the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) in honour of the Vice President, in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: NAN

The police in Rivers State have arrested 41 kidnap suspects and recovered N4 million ransom money in the first half of this year.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday that the police have also charged 15 of the kidnap suspects to court.

He said that 63 suspected armed robbers were arrested, while 29 gangs of criminals were smashed during the period.

Abba also said 45 suspects were arrested in 10 reported cases and charged to court for illegally drilling petroleum products.

On cultism, the commissioner said 138 suspects were arrested and 95 charged to court in 42 recorded cases.

He said the command arrested 41 suspects and charged 37 to court for pipeline vandalism.

He reiterated the determination of the police command to rid the state of criminals and urged the people to give useful information to the police to assist them in fighting crime.

“These achievements and successes ladies and gentlemen, I must admit, were recorded even at the height of the challenges and the numerous inadequacies the police officers and men suffer.

“However, I must admit to you and express our concern over the sometimes horrifying and disturbing cases of crimes involving violence that have been recorded in the state.

“However, the account I have given to you so far, is an indication that we are up to the challenge and we will not relent.

“I must state here that no matter the threat, the intimidation and the act of senselessness on the part of criminals will not deter us from fighting them,” he said.