Police arrest suspected kidnapper, reject over N8.5 million bribe
By Chuwang Dungs
The Taraba State Police Command on Tuesday says the sum of over N8.5m was rejected by its personnel, when they intercepted a vehicle in Jalingo, the state capital.
Joseph Eribo, the state commissioner of Police , disclosed this while parading some arrested criminals at the state Police headquarters in Jalingo.
According to him, the incident happened on January 29, 2024 at about 2145 hours.
He said its operatives attached to 40 Police Mobile Force (PMF) Jalingo, while on nipping point duty at Yaggai along Jalingo – Yola bye-pass intercepted a Toyota starlet ash color with registration YLA 321 ZY.
Eribo said the sum of N8.555,000 million suspected to be ransom money was found in possession of the suspect, Aliyu Mohammed ‘M’ aged 35yrs of Mubi, Adamawa State.
“When interrogated, the suspect could not give a satisfactory account of himself, hence search was conducted on his vehicle and the following items were recovered in his possession: a cash sum of eight million five hundred and fifty- five thousand-naira (N8,555,000).
He said other items found include 7 phones, 3 thousand unused MTN recharge cards and 7 amulets.
“The Suspect bribed the PMF personnel requesting them to take the whole money and allow him to go, but the PMF personnel refused and arrested him accordingly.” He said.
In another development, officers attached to the Anti-Kidnapping unit, have arrested some notorious kidnappers and other suspects terrorizing Jalingo, Lau and Yorro, including the one who masterminded the kidnapping of the third-class chief of Pupule, a Pastor, Imam, and others.
“Acting on credible information the Police operatives attached to the Anti- Kidnapping unit, on the 22/01/2024 swung into action and moved to Maihula town in Bali LGA where they arrested one Badon Linus ‘M’ 30yrs old of Gwampa village Yorro LGA.
“The suspect fled Yorro to Maihula to evade arrest after alleged participation in a series of kidnapping incidents around Yorro, Zing and Lau LGAs. The suspect has confessed to the crime, that he led the syndicate that kidnapped the Third-class chief of Pupule, a Pastor and others.
Mr Eribo also paraded over 20 suspects accused of taking part in kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes across the state.
Several AK-47 rifles, ammunition, transformer oil and cables believed to be properties of the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) were recovered from the suspects.
Eribo said the Command will always remain resolute in protecting the lives and property of the citizens of the State.
“The Command under my watch will remain committed in its pursuit for lasting peace in the State. We are fully prepared and battle-ready to deal decisively with those enemies of peace to ensure safety and security in the State.
“I wish to appreciate other security agencies, our stakeholders, vigilantes and hunters for their unrelenting support, as well as the law-abiding citizens of the state for their cooperation which have immensely contributed to our operational successes.” He said.
