The Intelligence Response Team (IRT) under the auspices of the office of the Inspector General of Police launched a massive onslaught on the kidnappers of some residents of an estate in Isheri area of Lagos state. This yielded prompt result as the hoodlums were eventually arrested.
This feat was achieved as a result of due diligence and intelligence-led policing exhibited by members of the Force and the zeal shown by public spirited citizens to rid the society of crime, the Police said.
This was even as suspected Ijaw militants responsible for the abduction of four students and teachers of the Lagos State Model College in Igbonla Epe have freed their victims.
The State Government confirmed this in a statement by Information commissioner, Steve Ayorinde, who assured the public that Government would spare nothing until it rids the state of criminal elements.
The kidnapping on 6 October was believed to have been carried out by former Ijaw militants.
Ayorinde said the children have undergone medical check-up after which they were reunited with their families.
“The Lagos State Government today welcomed the release of the school pupils, Vice-Principal and Head teacher of Igbonla Model College, Epe, who were kidnapped by suspected Ijaw militants on Thursday October 6, 2016.
“The children are doing well; they have been taken through medical checkup and have been safely reunited with their families,” the Commissioner said.
Ayorinde, while restating the government’s determination to protect lives and property, however urged residents to be more vigilant, security conscious and report all suspected persons and objects seen within their neighbourhood to the appropriate security agencies.
It will be recalled that some residents of an Estate in Isheri area of Lagos state were kidnapped on 27/09/2016 and were subsequently released by their abductors. The following suspects were arrested by the team:
- Natei Okunna ‘M’ (gang leader)
- James Kegbe ‘M’ a.k.a JJ
iii. ThankGod Segede ‘M’
- Trust Bourdilon ‘M’.
The suspects were arrested at different locations where they had gone to spend their share of the ransom. They, in the course of investigation, volunteered confessional statements admitting their involvement in the kidnap incident.
The Inspector General of Police wishes to restate the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to fight crime, especially the prevalent scourge of kidnapping to a bearable and tolerable state. He urges Nigerians to always be law abiding and to see themselves as stakeholders in this noble cause.
