Segun Atanda/
Seven men suspected to have kidnapped an Assistant Comptroller of Customs in Rivers State have been fished out by the police after the gang collected N5million ransom to release the abducted woman.
Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Justina Tanko, was kidnapped in Onne at about 5:30pm on November 13 and taken to an unknown destination from a restaurant she frequents.
Led by DCP Abba Kyari, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT) deployed to Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, combed thick bushes and waded through streams to find the kidnappers den.
NewsmakersNG learnt that upon the receipt of the information on Tanko’s kidnap, the IRT operatives commenced investigation with the aid of technical intelligence and active members of the gangs were identified.
According to police authorities, immediately after a negotiated ransom of N5million was paid by her family on November 15 to avoid risking her life during Rescue Operation and her subsequent release at about 11:30 pm of same day, operatives immediately commenced action and within 24 hours, the first suspect was arrested.
Subsequent operation lasting for about 72 hours led to the arrest of the seven suspects found in a den.
The Police told NewsmakersNG: “The gang is notorious in kidnap for ransom and thereafter causing the disappearance of their hostages after collection of ransom in some of their Kidnappings. They also made some confession of their robbery escapade where they operate in two local government areas of Eleme LGA and Gonna LGA in Rivers State with a stronghold in Biara town in Gokana LGA and Trailer park in Eleme LGA.”
The names of the kidnappers and roles played by each member already arrested were listed by the police thus:
1. Zigabari Voonu ‘m’ 32yrs from Ogu-Gbolo LGA Rivers State. Works as a security guard in the restaurant the Customs Officer frequents. He brought the kidnapping job to one ‘Bobo” & his gang. He also alerted the gang when the officer arrived the restaurant on the day of the kidnap. He is a member of the deadly Degbam secret cult.
2. Maxwell Barindom ‘m’ 32yrs from Gokana LGA, Rivers. He is a member of Degbam secret cult and a close ally of the leader of the gang. He partook in planning the kidnap and his phone was use for ransom negotiation.
3. Dele Kunewo-Liaga ‘m’ 35yrs from Gokana LGA Rivers State. He brought numerous kidnap jobs for “Bobo” & his gang. He is also a member of the deadly Degbam secret cult.
4. Tordi Barinaa ‘m’ 27yrs from Gokana LGA. An active member of the gang and has gone on numerous kidnap operations. He is also a member of the deadly Degbam secret cult.
5. Godspower Keenom alias “Immortal” m 23yrs from Gokana LGA Rivers State. An active member of the gang Involved in numerous heinous crimes including the kidnap of one Chibuike Ezewuno, whom suspect confirmed was killed and his corpse thrown into a river after collecting a ransom of N3 million with his share being 300k. He is a member of Degbam secret cult.
6. Justice Afangide alias Max P ‘m’ 33yrs from Etimekpo LGA Akwa Ibom State. An ex-convict of PH max prison, engages in a lot of heinous crimes including armed robbery & kidnapping. His share from the customs officer’s kidnap was 350k which he invested in illegal oil bunkering.
7. Oludofin Yakubu ‘m’ 26 from Ondo State. An ex-convict of PH max prison. He is the operational driver of the gang. He drove the car that was used to kidnap the officer.
The police also stated: “Exhibits recovered included two Ak47 Rifles and Pump Action Gun, the gang’s operational vehicle and the VW Golf belonging to Chibuike Ezenkwu whom the gang kidnapped in the month of May 2018 and till date he has not been released as the gang confessed that he was killed and thrown into the River after collection of ransom because he knows them.
“Suspects are cooperating with operatives and have made more useful confessions that will aid the investigation. While frantic effort is still ongoing to arrest “Bobo Biara” the gang leader who is still in possession of the large chunk of ransom meant for members of the gang already arrested and also the arrest of other fleeing gang members and recovery of more weapons.”
