Punch reports that the Nigeria Police Force displayed a notorious kidnapper, Chinaza Philip-Okoye, who was apprehended on a stretcher due to serious injuries sustained during a police encounter at the Force Intelligence Response Team base in Guzape, Federal Capital Territory. The arrest occurred after the interception of his gang at a filling station on Thursday night. Philip-Okoye, alongside his gang members, was intercepted while transporting a victim, Segun Akinyemi, from Abuja to Kano. The FCT and Kaduna police, in a combined effort, arrested the kidnapper, while three other gang members escaped.
The police were alerted to the abduction when the kidnappers passed through Rita Lori, Garki, Abuja. Anti-kidnapping operatives pursued them into Kaduna, where Philip-Okoye was shot and apprehended, and the victim was rescued unharmed. The factory used by the gang to produce home care and skin cleansing products has been leased to a third party after Unilever Nigeria's exit from these markets. The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed that Philip-Okoye and his accomplices had previously been arrested in November 2023 for similar offenses but went back to committing crimes while on court bail.
In a proactive move, the police intercepted the kidnappers at a Kaduna filling station, leading to the escape of three suspects and the arrest of Philip-Okoye. The victim was rescued unharmed, and the Hilux Van used in the abduction was recovered. The suspect and his accomplices had been arrested previously and charged for similar offenses in November 2023 but continued criminal activities while on bail.
In addition to the kidnapper's arrest, the police paraded 15 other suspects involved in kidnapping and violent crimes, recovering sophisticated firearms and ammunition. The Inspector General (IG) emphasized the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensuring the safety of the country and urged citizens to report any suspicious activities.
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