The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 52-year-old Islamic teacher, Jubril Ibrahim, for allegedly preparing charms for suspected kidnappers operating in Edo North Senatorial District.
Ibrahim was paraded alongside four suspected kidnappers and six other suspects at the command headquarters in Benin City on Tuesday.
Parading the suspects, the Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daor, said the suspected kidnappers were arrested in Niger State following intelligence gathered by operatives of the command.
However, Ibrahim denied preparing charms for the kidnappers, saying he only prayed for one of them, 24-year-old Ahmadu Suleiman, at the request of the suspect’s mother.
Speaking through an interpreter, Ibrahim said, “I gather Almajiri and teach them the Qur’an. So, Ahmadu Suleiman’s mother came to me and said I should be praying for her son, that he travels a lot, so I should pray for his safe trip to and from, and that is what I have been doing.
“I pray for him to have a safe trip.”
When asked if he knew Suleiman was in possession of an AK-47 rifle, Ibrahim admitted that he was aware the suspect had a gun.
Suleiman, who also spoke through an interpreter, confessed to participating in a kidnapping operation in Auchi, Edo State.
He said he had worked with different kidnapping syndicates across the country and usually returned to his base in Niger State after operations.
Suleiman said, “When we get to the community, we look for a beautiful house and shoot into the air, and in the process of scampering for their lives, they run out, and we hold them and take them to the bush and demand money.
“I got N1m from the Auchi operation, and that was the only kidnapping I involved myself in in that area.”
Asked whether the syndicate had informants in the communities they targeted, Suleiman said they did not, adding that members selected their targets by identifying expensive cars and buildings.
The police also paraded a 21-year-old suspect who was allegedly involved in the theft of a baby at Ring Road, Benin City.
A stolen vehicle was also recovered by the command.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said the arrests and recovery were made possible through intelligence gathered by operatives of the command.
Ikoedem urged members of the public to continue assisting the police by providing credible information that could help prevent crime and apprehend suspected criminals.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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