The Niger Police Command has arrested three who claimed to be officers of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). The suspects allegedly abducted and robbed students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai while in the guise.
This was revealed in a statement by the Spokesperson of the Niger Police command, Wasiu Abiodun, on Friday in Minna.
The spokesperson named the arrested suspects as; Emmanuel Linus, 30, of Deidei, Hyelda Aliyu, 28, of Nyanya, and Abduljallid Tanko, 33, of Karu, all from Abuja.
According to Abiodun, the police acted upon an information they received around 8:00 pm, on May 13 —stating that the suspects had invaded the off campus of the students in the aforementioned institution and kidnapped two.
According to the informant, the disguised kidnappers in EFCC clothing drove the students away in a Toyota Corolla car with Reg. No. ABJ 245 CU but would be arrested in Suleja Road, by Kwakuti after the police operatives in Lapai Division immediately mobilized and trailed the vehicle.
“The suspects were arrested with the said vehicle, but unfortunately, one Alfa James among the suspects escaped from the scene,” he said.
In his statement, Abiodun further revealed that two others who were arrested alongside the suspects include informants who aided and abetted the operation; Mohammed Hassan and Hamisu Adamu, both from Angwan-Hausa in Lapai.
Apparently, the informants had given one of the suspects, Emmanuel Linus, who happens to be his acquaintance in Paiko; info about the students. Turns out Emmanuel was a dismissed soldier with criminal records who was convicted two years ago.
The spokesperson also revealed that the suspects had requested N10 million from the students and later came down to N500,000 as they engaged in negotiation with the students; before they were arrested.
“During interrogation, they confessed that they were invited by their informants, as this is their means of livelihood.
‘They entered one of the student’s room with three electric tasers held as guns, collected five phones and abducted two persons.
“They confessed further that the ID cards used were designed at a shop in Nyanya, Abuja bearing the same identification number 1069,” he narrated
Abiodun said that the State Criminal Investigation Department was investigating the case and the suspects would be charged to court and prosecuted upon conclusion.
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