SSS arrests, parades 7 suspected kidnappers of foreigner

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The State Security Service (SSS) yesterday paraded seven suspected kidnappers, who were arrested in connection with the recent abduction of a United Arab Emirate (UAE) national, Mohammed Khamis Majed Al Ali.

Parading the suspects aged between 22 to 33 years in Abuja, the SSS spokesman and a Deputy Director, Marilyn Ogar, disclosed that on January 20, the UAE national was “lured to visit Nigeria for a phantom business transaction by a fake company, Finuche Investments and was abducted by a kidnap syndicate,” adding that he was later held hostage for about 60 days at Aboriogun village in Ikoyi town, Isokan Local Government Area of Ogun state.”

She said upon the receipt of report that the victim was abducted, the SSS immediately initiated an investigation and on March 19, Khamis was released by his abductors and dropped off in Ibadan. Consequently, she said on March 20, operatives of the Service were able to arrest Ojo Ibrahim Ajibade, Lamidi Akinkunmi, Olasunkanmi Temitope (aka Rasky), Nuremi Lamidi, Siyanbade Musibau Olalekan, Saka Kashim; and Jelili Ajagungbade Adeleke (aka Owuye) in connection with the crime.

Ogar disclosed that Ojo Ibrahim Ajibade, 29-year-old and a spare part dealer, had confessed to participating in the process of luring and abduction of the victim, adding that he was also one of the guards that protected the hostage in the Aboriogun village hideout along with Lamidi Akinkunmi, 29-year-old video cameraman. According to the suspects, they were not the masterminds of the abduction, thus they could no longer keep him in the hideout after about 60 days, having ran out of funds and there were no more supplies coming in from the masterminds to sustain them and the victim.

Thus, 27-year-old Saka Kashim, a motorcycle mechanic, who was said to have confessed to the crime too, said he personally conveyed the hostage on a motorcycle to Ibadan where he was eventually released. However, Ogar, who said the suspects would soon be charged to court, disclosed that four other persons, who had been identified as the masterminds of the kidnapping of Mohammed Khamis, were currently at large.

Stating that investigations were ongoing with a view to tracking and apprehending those at large, the Service said security agencies were prepared more than ever, to rid the society of crimes and criminality.