Police parade notorious Abuja kidnapper, Philip-Okoye, 15 others

The Nigeria Police Force, on Saturday, paraded a notorious Abuja kidnapper, Chinaza Philip-Okoye on a stretcher at the Force Intelligence Response Team base, Guzape, Federal Capital Territory.

Our correspondent gathered that the suspect sustained serious injuries after he was shot by police officers following the interception of his gang at a filling station on Thursday night.

Philip-Okoye was arrested by a combined team of FCT and Kaduna police officers in Kaduna on Thursday when the police swooped in on him and his gang members (now at large), while they were taking a victim, Segun Akinyemi, from Abuja to Kano State.

Our correspondent gathered that the police were notified of Akinyemi's abduction when the kidnappers drove through Rita Lori, Garki, Abuja, on Thursday night, and all police formations were alerted within the FCT and neighbouring states of Kaduna, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kogi.

“We were informed of Akinyemi's abduction when the kidnappers drove through Rita Lori in Garki, so the FCT Police Command alerted all police formations in the FCT and neighbouring states of Kaduna, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kogi.

“So, FCT anti-kidnapping operatives chased them into Kaduna State before other gang members fled, and Chinaza Phillip-Okoye was shot at and apprehended by a team of FCT policemen and Kaduna State police officers, and the victim rescued unhurt and his vehicle recovered.” a senior police source confirmed to our correspondent.

Parading the kidnapper on Saturday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the suspects ran out of luck as they were intercepted by police operatives at a filling station in Kaduna where three of them escaped, while one by them,  Philip-Okoye, was arrested, and the victim rescued unhurt.

Adejobi said, “In a proactive move, following a report on the abduction of a victim from his house along with his Hilux Van with Reg. No. RBC 90 DL Gray colour by four armed men who disguised in a white Mercedez Benz 230 car, Police Operatives in an intelligence-propelled investigation discovered that the victim was being taken to Kano State, but was dispossessed of his ATM cards at Kaduna while the sum of N500,000.00 was transferred from his account.

“The suspects however ran out of luck as they were intercepted by Police operatives at a filling station in Kaduna where three of them escaped, while one by the name Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael was arrested, the victim rescued unhurt, and the said Hilux Van recovered. It was discovered that Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael and his accomplices had earlier been arrested sometime in November 2023 and charged for similar offences, at the High Court, Kwali, Abuja, but went back to committing even worse crimes while on court bail.”

The Kaduna State Police Command had on Friday handed over Chinaza Philip-Okoye to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.

The Kaduna Command's Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, had revealed that Chinaza was arrested in Kaduna on Thursday when the police swooped on him and his gang members (now at large), while they were taking a victim, Segun Akinyemi from Abuja to Kano State.

Confirming receipt of the suspect alongside some arms and a mobile phone on Friday, the FCT Police Command's spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said more details would be revealed.

Adeh said, “The FCT Police Command wishes to confirm the arrest of one Chinaza Phillip, a notorious Abuja kidnapper by police operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command on Thursday, January 17, 2024.

“The suspect has been handed over to the FCT Police Command today being Friday, January 19, 2024, and he's currently in police custody. More details will be communicated soon.”

The PUNCH had reported that there was a  gunfire exchange on Thursday, as police officers rescued an Abuja resident, Akinyemi, who was kidnapped just as he was driving out of his home.

The kidnappers were taking Akinyemi from Abuja to Kano State when the police swooped in on them, according to the Kaduna Command's Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan.

Likewise, the police paraded 15 other suspects for kidnapping and violent crimes carried out in the FCT and neighbouring states.

The police also recovered several sophisticated firearms and ammunition from the suspects.

Among the suspects are three Bwari-based kidnappers and informants – Idris Ishaku, male, 27 years, Bala Umar, male, 27 years, and Dahiru Salisu, male, 27 years, who were arrested in connection with the abduction of 23 persons in the Bwari area of Abuja on January 3, 2024.

Adejobi added, “Also, operatives of the DFI-IRT office intercepted one Everest Magaji, a gunrunner, during negotiation with some notorious bandits who are currently at large, for the purchase and supply of illicit firearms and ammunition. 11 Pistols, and two Pump Action Guns were recovered from the suspect.

“The achievements recorded through these relentless operations demonstrate the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of IG Egbetokun, to ensure that our country becomes a safe haven for us to inhabit. The IG urges all citizens to be very observant of their environs and the people in it, and report any suspicious activity immediately to the police.”