TheCable

The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) have arrested two soldiers and seven other persons suspected to have kidnapped Margaret Emefiele, wife of Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor.

The suspects kidnapped Emefiele’s wife on September 29 on her way to Delta from Benin, but she was rescued the following day.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday while parading the suspects, Don Awunah, the police spokesman, said they recovered from them N14.75million three vehicles, one AK 47 magazine and two cartridges.

“The Nigeria Police Force will continue to limit the capacity of kidnappers and other criminals to disrupt the quality of life of Nigerians by the deployment of adequate manpower and resources in crime reduction, detection and effective prosecution of offenders in courts of competent jurisdiction,” Awunah said.

“The curtailment of the activities of kidnappers in our communities will be ultimately successful through the cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders. There must be collective ownership of law enforcement.

“It is instructive to mention that money or ‘ransom’ is sometimes used as a bait or bargaining chip to save the lives of the victims of crime which is primary to security operatives.

“It is also absolutely important to mention that the Police do not and will not encourage payment of ransom. The relatives of victims of kidnap for ransom are strongly advised to exercise considerable caution to succumb in payment of ransom. It is inherently counterproductive. At all times of kidnap scenario, it is pertinent the Police are involved and trusted.”

Suspects arrested by the police are Lance Corporal Musa Maidabra, Lance corporal Edwin George, Ernest Anthony Uduefe, Mohammed Abubakar (gang leader) and Mohammed Musa.

Others are Mohammed Sule, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Aliyu Musa and Mohammed Yusuf.

Maidabra and George are both serving at the 122D30 regiment in Maiduguri.