The state police spokesperson, Sunday Abutu in a statement on Friday said the command had apprehended some of the suspects allegedly involved in the incident.
The Nigerian Police Force, Ekiti State Command, has confirmed the arrest of eight notorious kidnappers responsible for the abduction of school children in the Emure Local Government Area of the state.
SaharaReporters had reported that the bandits abducted some pupils, a head teacher and a driver of Apostolic Faith School in Emure, Ekiti.
According to the video seen by SaharaReporters, sources said the children were kidnapped after school hours on their way to Eporo Ekiti in their school bus.
The state police spokesperson, Sunday Abutu in a statement on Friday said the command had apprehended some of the suspects allegedly involved in the incident.
He explained that the syndicate were responsible for various kidnapping in the state, adding that one of the suspects was killed during a gun battle with policemen.
He also affirmed that the group were behind the abduction of the All Progressives Congress Chairman, Mr Paul Omotosho in the state in the year 2023.
The statement reads in part; “On 8/02/2024 at about 1300hrs, the Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) received a credible tip-off that a gang of armed men has invaded a farmland at Eda-Oniyo-Ekiti and were planning to kidnap some Expatriates in Dairy Farmland, Ikun-Ekiti.
“Upon receipt of the information, a team of RRS operatives swung into action and arrested one ABUBAKAR ALIYU a.k.a SMALLIE who was on a mission to spy on the actual location of the Expatriates.
After the arrest of Abubakar Aliyu a.k.a SMALLIE, the leader of the kidnapping gang identified as one Sumo Karami sent two (2) vigilante members, one Saliu Ibrahim and Umaru Saliu, to secure the bail of the arrested gang member from Police custody.
“The two (2) vigilante members were arrested and they led the RRS operatives to Oro-Ago town where one Mohammed Bashiru, the leader of Miyetti Allah vigilante in Oro-Ago, Kwara State, was arrested.
During interrogation, Mohammed Bashiru revealed that he is a relative of Sumo Karami who is a leader of a dreaded kidnapping gang and that Abubakar Aliyu a.k.a SMALLIE is one his gang members who have been terrorizing and kidnapping innocent citizens with AK47 rifles and other dangerous weapons.
“Initial investigation revealed that Sumo Karami and his gang members were responsible for the kidnapping of the Pupils and their Teachers in Emure-Ekiti on 29th January, 2024.
“Meanwhile, the phone used to demand for ransom for the release of the Pupils and the Teachers was recovered from the suspects and effort intensified led to the arrest of two (2) among the gang members, namely: Yahaya Jubril and Usman Garba in Owo forest, Ondo State.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of one Kenneth Ugwu in Ibadan, Oyo State, on 14/02/2024. The suspect, during interrogation, confessed to be a member of a kidnapping syndicate who kidnapped 5 Pupils, three (3) teachers and a driver in Emure-Ekiti who was allegedly killed by the kidnappers. The suspect led a team of RRS operatives to the kidnapper’s hideout inside Agric Reserved Forest between Ise-Ekiti/Emure-Ekiti.
“On sighting the Police, the armed hoodlums engaged the team in a gun duel. In the process, one of the gang members who was later identified as AYUBA was neutralized, one Abubakar Mohammed a.k.a Smallie was captured alive while other gang members escaped through the forest.
“Investigation revealed that the syndicate was responsible for the kidnapping of one Paul Omotosho, the APC Chairman, Ekiti State, along Agbado/Imesi, Ekiti road on 08/07/2023, the kidnapping of Mr. and Mrs. Awoniyi along Ikere/Itaogbolu road in the month of January this year and the kidnapping of teachers and pupils of Apostolic Faith Secondary School, Emure-Ekiti on 29th January, 2024.
“EXHIBITS RECOVERED: One (1) AK 47 assorted rifle; One(1) pump action gun loaded with five (5) lives cartridges; Twenty-one (21) AK47 live ammunition;Expended shells of AK-47 ammunition; One (1) face-mask; One (1) Nose mask; Two (2) pairs of hand glove; Twenty (20) different handsets; One (1) National ID Card bearing Salisu Mohammed; Two (2) MTN sim card; One (1) airtel sim card.”
“I wish to reiterate that under my leadership, Ekiti State will be made hot and unbearable for all criminal elements as I have ordered a vigorous, constant and sustained bush combing operations as well as raiding of black spots across the State.
“Citizens are therefore implored to support and cooperate with the Police by supplying timely and credible information that could lead to the arrest of criminal suspects in the State,” the statement added.