The Department of State Services (DSS), has announced the successful arrests of many “masterminds and facilitators” of kidnappings across the country, even as its personnel have continued to smash criminal gangs perpetrating the heinous act.
A statement signed Saturday by Mr. Tony Opuiyo, said the Secret Service will continue to execute its mandate in that direction, until the country is rid of kidnapping activities.
Listed among the kingpins arrested so far, is one Howell Anufa, the suspected mastermind of the kidnap of the Regent of Akungba, Ondo State.
The statement reads: “In the past few weeks, the nation has witnessed an upsurge in kidnapping incidents perpetrated by criminal syndicates/elements. These groups terrorize their victims and members of the public across the States particularly in the South-South, South-West and the North-West zones of the country. In the course of their dastardly acts, these criminals rape, maim and even murder their victims. “They inflict psychological pains, humiliation and grief on such victims and their families. They extort huge sums of money from families or friends of victims. “To checkmate this ugly trend, This Service in line with its statutory mandate, initiated series of special tactical operations in the States prone to the nefarious activities of these criminal gangs.
“Consequently, these operations, succeeded in the arrest of the masterminds and other facilitators of these kidnapping syndicates amongst whom is one Victor AFIKPAROBO, arrested on 20th July, 2015, at Owheologbo, Isoko North LGA of Delta State. Afikparobo is a key member of the “FEDERA” gang, a kidnap syndicate which perpetrated series of kidnap incidents within the Ikorodu/Otta axis of Lagos State. The arrest of this suspect by the Service has given further leads on the gang leader of the FEDERA kidnap syndicate.
“On 22nd July, 2015, about 0330 hours, at Ovara Orugun village in Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, one John Felix aka Austin, Rowson Anufa aka Amori and Obukoko Emoabe, a local herbalist and supposed talisman to the group, were also arrested by this Service. The trio are key members of the kidnap gang that terrorised the Lagos-Ikorodu Road, and Owo, Ondo State.
“On 24th July, 2015, about 0230 hours, at Uduere, village in Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, one Joseph Ojobor aka Chairman was also arrested. Subject is the leader of the Lagos cell of the “Federa” kidnap syndicate. He had also been linked to some incidents of illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism.
“Also, on the same 24th July, 2015, about 0500 hours, the team arrested another member of the Lagos cell of the “Federa” kidnap syndicate, one Timothy Japheth, in his house at Onokpasa Avenue in Okhan village in Ughelli North LGA, Delta State.
“Earlier, on 19th July, 2015, another member of the notorious gang, one Howell Anufa was apprehended by the Service. The suspect was instrumental to the kidnap of the Regent of Akungba in Ondo State. Anufa also participated in the spate of kidnap incidents, carried out by the gang in Lagos and Ogun States respectively, before he relocated to Warri, Delta State, where he was eventually arrested.
“Furthermore, same date, the Service arrested one member of the Ekiti kidnap syndicate, Ayodeji Oluwafemi. Also, one Rachael Oladapo, a female, who was used by the gang as a reconnaissance spy and informant, was equally apprehended. In a follow-up tactical raid in Ekiti State, five other members of the notorious Ekiti kidnap gang were intercepted by operatives of the DSS. They are Felix Omaiwa, Bose Ajayi, Tope Gabriel, Olayemi Ogunmola and Damilola Obamoyegun.
“Also, on 26th July, 2015, about 2000 hours, at Ibokun in Obokun LGA, Osun State, Service tactical team arrested three kidnap suspects, Owolabi Olarwaju (aka Owo Blow), Olajide Ayobami (aka Gongo aso) and Gbenga David (aka Oruma).
“In a similar enforcement action, within the Abia and Imo States axis, one Henry Chibueze aka ‘Vampire’, the leader of an infamous kidnap gang that operates around the South-South and South-East axis, was arrested by the Service on 16th July, 2015. Subject is a ruthless criminal who derives joy in shooting his victims on the leg whenever there is delay in the payment of ransom.
“Between 19th – 20th July, 2015, at varied locations in Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State, the Service apprehended four suspected kidnappers of one Maryam Mohammed Rabiu, the daughter of Mohammed Rabiu, who was abducted on 13th July 2015. The gang has been identified as the syndicate which perpetrated the recent kidnap of Abbas Mohammed Jega, the driver of the brother of Attahiru Jega (Prof), former Chairman of INEC. The gang in its bid to evade detection used one of the three mobile phones stolen earlier from Maryam Rabiu, to establish contact with the family, in which they demanded a ransom of N20million.
“On 24th July, 2015, at Mailaka village of Danko-Wasagu LGA, the Service also arrested three key members of another kidnap syndicate operating across Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, FCT, Kwara and Oyo States. These elements are Umar Gide (Dudu), Ibrahim Mugu and Baban Garna. Dudu was found to be involved in the kidnap of the daughter of former Council Chairman of Danko-Wasaju LGA and the mother of the Post-Master General of the Federation, among several others.
Another member of the gang, Mohammed SANI aka Sani Majawas arrested by the Service in Zamfara State.
“Gentlemen of the press, the operations are ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of some of the identified kidnap gangs and others hibernating at various areas across States of the Federation. While judicial processes are being perfected to arraign the arrested suspects before the courts in line with relevant laws, this Service wishes to use this medium to assure the good and responsible citizens of this great country, that it would not relent in its efforts to checkmate the activities of any criminal gang that terrorizes innocent citizens across the federation thereby creating a climate of insecurity.
“As the Service moves to fulfil this mandate, members of the public are urged to freely volunteer any useful information that would assist in dealing with such criminal gangs. Be assured that such information will be treated with utmost confidentiality and dispatch.”
