A 40-year-old ex-convict, Richard John, has been arrested for alleged kidnapping and armed robbery in Edo State.
The suspect and others, who were arrested for various crimes ranging from robbery, stealing and kidnapping, were paraded by the State Police Commissioner, Nemi Edwin-Iwo.
The other gang members, who are now at large, are Ishmael Peter (gang leader), Emmanuel Audu and one simply identified as Lucky. They were said to have served jail terms together in Koton-Karfe Prison, Kogi State.
They were said to have invaded the home of one Promise Ehichoya on May 7, 2024, at about 2am, at Illela Quarters, Ekpoma, tied him up and took him to an unknown destination and collected a ransom of N6,000,000 before releasing him.
They also bolted away with the victim’s vehicle and other household items, including phones of various makes, electronics, jewelries and clothing from the house.
The vehicle, a Toyota Venza car marked LND 438 HM, was later abandoned, but was recovered by police operatives.
Spokesman of the Command, SP Moses Joel Yamu, said: “Acting on technologically driven intelligence, operatives of the State Intelligence Department (SID) trailed and arrested one Richard John Abdullahi, 40, at the Zone C area of Apo resettlement quarters, Abuja.
“A Beretta pistol with three (3) live ammunitions was recovered from a bag in his possession. Further search in his home led to the recovery of the gold chain and bracelet earlier stolen during the kidnap incident in Ekpoma.
“He led the operatives to the homes of Emmanuel Audu and Ishmael Peter where some electronics and clothing earlier stolen from the victim were recovered, but the suspects were unfortunately nowhere to be found.
“An unregistered gold colored Toyota Sienna and two motorcycles used for their operations were also recovered.”
He added that a manhunt has been launched to arrest other fleeing members of the gang to face the law.