Police Arrest Kidnappers Of Mopol Unit Commander

The police have arrested one Ifeanyi Stanley, 37, the alleged gang leader of a notorious kidnap group and four others for allegedly kidnapping ASP Solomon Aniefiok, the Unit Commander of Mopol 55, based in Aba, Abia state.

The kidnapping gang also collected an undisclosed ransom, before the police officer was released.

Vanguard reports that a source close to the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) confirmed the arrest in Lagos, on Friday.

The newspaper further reports that the suspects confessed that they kidnapped the officer on January 14, while conducting a check on his men on duty.

It was gathered that the suspects suddenly blocked and kidnapped the officer using AK-47 rifles.

“He was eventually released three days later after ransom was paid,’’ the source said.

Annoyed by the development, IGP Ibrahim Idris was said to have deployed the Intelligence Response Team to Abia.

“Based on the IGP’s directive, one of the best IRT teams was deployed and after six days of unrelenting follow up, five of the kidnappers were arrested alive and one died during a gun battle with IRT operatives.

“Exhibits recovered are: one AK-47 Rifle with S/No. 56-2550382 with two Magazines and 60 live ammunition, one Barretta Service Pistol of the Mopol Unit Commander.

“Other items include one locally made pistol and two cartridges, one police bullet proof jacket, one police vest, two head warmers, one Mopol jungle cap among others,” the source said.