Police arrest kidnappers who killed victim after collecting N10m ransom

Seven suspects have been arrested for the alleged kidnap and murder of a 64-year-old man, Ubani Onyema, after collecting N10m ransom.

Confirming the suspects’ arrest, the Team Commander, Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari said the victim, a production manager in Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Ltd., was kidnapped by gunmen in Woji area of Port Harcourt on Oct. 16.

According to Kyari, a ransom call was made to the hostage’s company demanding N100m.

“Eventually, the ransom was negotiated down to N10m, which was paid to the kidnappers despite not getting a proof of life.

“IRT operatives deployed to Port Harcourt by IGP Ibrahim Idris swung into action as the hostage was not released after the ransom was paid as negotiated and agreed.

“Unrelenting follow up by the IRT eventually led to the arrest of seven of the kidnappers. Suspects confessed to various roles each played in the kidnap.

“They admitted that the victim died on the very day of his kidnap as a result of gunshot wounds he sustained during the incident.

“They still went ahead to collect a ransom of N10m,” Kyari said.

He added that the arrested suspects, including the gang leader, allegedly confessed to the crime.

Among the kidnap masterminds were three men who worked in the same company with the victim and a cultist who provided the arms.

“Items recovered from the gang include one AK-47 rifle and two vehicles used in the kidnap.

“Effort is ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members, recover arms and the body of the victim which they confessed to have dumped into a river,” Kyari stressed.