Two soldiers, seven others held over CBN governor’s wife abduction
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NIGERIA: TWO soldiers serving at the 122D30 Regiment of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, alongside seven others, have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping Margaret Emefiele, wife of the Central Bank Governor (CBN), Mr. Gowin Emefiele.
The spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, Don Awunah, said on Monday that the men have been linked to the September 29 abduction of Margaret who was travelling from Benin to Delta when the men struck.
She was, however, rescued the following day by police detectives.
The soldiers are Lance Corporal Musa Maidabra and Lance corporal Edwin George, while others include the gang leader, Mohammed Abubakar, Ernest Anthony Uduefe and Mohammed Musa.
Also included are Mohammed Sule, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Aliyu Musa and Mohammed Yusuf.
Awunah said that at the time of their arrest, police found and recovered N14.75million, three vehicles, 1 AK 47 magazine and two cartridges from them.
He, however, said: “The Nigeria Police Force will continue to limit the capacity of kidnappers and other criminals to disrupt the quality of life of Nigerians by the deployment of adequate manpower and resources in crime reduction, detection and effective prosecution of offenders in courts of competent jurisdiction.”
The police spokesperson also said that police efforts to curtail kidnapping in the communities would be ultimately successful through the cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders.
“There must be collective ownership of law enforcement,” he said, adding: “It is instructive to mention that money or ‘ransom’ is sometimes used as a bait or bargaining chip to save the lives of the victims of crime which is primary to security operatives.”
Awunah stressed: “It is also absolutely important to mention that the Police do not and will not encourage payment of ransom.
“The relatives of victims of kidnap for ransom are strongly advised to exercise considerable caution to succumb in payment of ransom.”
“It is inherently counterproductive,” he maintained, while adding that “at all times of kidnap scenario, it is pertinent the Police are involved and trusted.”
