Olusesan Oba
The Nigeria Police Force, Imo State Command, has apprehended five suspected kidnappers believed to be involved in the abduction of university students in Owerri, Imo State.
The arrests, part of a broader operation to combat rising crime rates in the state, were confirmed by Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Wednesday.
The suspects, identified as Umaru Usman (40) from Mauree in Sokoto, Tukur Yau (25) from Dawakinkudur in Kano, Musbau Sabo (18) from Warsaw LGA in Kano, Abdul Ibrahim (30) from Sokoto, and Jubrin Idris (35) from Sokoto, were nabbed in Avu, Imo State, on August 21, 2024.
They are accused of orchestrating a series of kidnappings in Obinze, Avu, and Ihiagwa, areas predominantly inhabited by students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
The swift police action also led to the rescue of a kidnapped victim. Adejobi described the arrests as part of ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities, particularly kidnappings that have terrorized parts of Imo State.
In a separate incident on the same day, the police arrested another suspect, 25-year-old Nwauba Alex from Ezza LGA, Ebonyi State. Alex was apprehended while attempting to rob two residents at gunpoint near Aladinma Primary School, Owerri.
Recovered from him were a locally made pistol, two rounds of live ammunition, and a torchlight.
“The Nigeria Police remains relentless in its efforts to combat these heinous acts,” said Adejobi, reaffirming the force’s commitment to bolstering security and protecting the public.
The arrests come amidst heightened concerns about student safety following a recent surge in kidnappings near FUTO.
The university management had issued a security alert on September 10, urging students and staff to exercise caution, particularly along the Obinze-Ihiagwa Road, where abductions have become increasingly frequent during early morning and late evening hours.
The police have vowed to continue their proactive and reactive measures to ensure the safety of all residents, particularly around the university community, as they work to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice.
