Ismaila Wakili, a 19-year-old suspected leader of a kidnap gang, has been arrested by Ondo State Policemen with four other members of his gang after reportedly demanding N30 million from their victim.
Those paraded by the state Police Commissioner, Undie Adie, in Akure, Ondo State capital include Abdullahi Sanni, Mohammed Abdullahi, Umoru Usman and Sheu Usman . This came as the state police command said security measures had been scaled up around bank premises across the 18 local government areas of the state to prevent attack by bandits. Addressing newsmen, Adie said the victim, who is a staff of Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research, NIFOR, in Edo State, was attacked by unknown gunmen numbering six along Akunnu Akoko/Auga Akoko Road in Ondo State. Adie said the suspects dispossessed him of N185,000 before demanding N30 million ransom for his release. He noted that “it took the spirited efforts of our men to track the kidnappers to their hideout in Ibilo, Edo State. How they were arrested “On April 3, 2019, a team of Policemen with members of vigilante group trailed the kidnappers to their den at Ibilo, Edo State. “After exchange of gun fire, the kidnappers fled to unknown destination, leaving behind one pump action, one double barrel and two single barrel guns. The victim escaped to a community in Ibilo where he explained his ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers.
“The Police placed the community on red alert to watch out for any strange face. Thereafter, one Ismaila Wakili ‘m’ aged 19 years, from Niger State, whom the victim later recognised as one of the kidnappers, was arrested and handed over to the police. “Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the crime and mentioned other members of his gang.”
The CP said the suspect led a team of detectives to the hideout of the hoodlums at Aduwawa in Benin City, Edo State where the four other members of the gang were arrested. He said the suspects will be arraigned at the conclusion of investigation by police detectives.
While being interrogated, Wakili denied knowing the four other suspects, adding that the botched operation was his first. On their part, the four other suspects said they have never set their eyes on Wakili and that they were arrested where they were smoking Indian hemp.
The commissioner, while speaking on the bank robbery in ldoani where seven people were killed on Monday, said: “We want to assure you that we are on the trail of the suspects involved in the two unfortunate incidents and we will not rest until they are brought to face the full wrath of the law.
