Nigeria police high command has busted a notorious 5-man gang kidnapping syndicates terrorizing South East and Rivers State.

The suspects, nabbed by operatives of the FIB-Intelligence Response Team (IRT) commanded by DCP Tunji Disu and were paraded by the IGP who was represented by police spokesman, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi.

The suspects are: Chima Nwankwo, 31 years of age, of Osisioma Ngwa LGA of Abia State; Stanley Chukwunyere, 35 years of age, of Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State; Okechukwu Edison, 40 years of age, of Emohua LGA of Rivers State and Justice Nlaa, 18 years of age, of Ogoni LGA of Rivers State.

The suspects confessed to specializing in kidnapping for ransom. The kingpin, Okechukwu Edison narrated their mode of operation to newsmen at the headquarters of IRT in Guzape, Abuja.

According to him, “I have been in kidnapping business since 2009. I was arrested by the police in 2012 for kidnapping and was sent to jail. I was among the prison inmates that ran away from jail during the attack on Imo State prison.

“I went back to the business. It was one Okechukwu Nwankwo that linked me with one Sunny to do the kidnapping job for him. Sunny and Nwankwo has escaped.”

According to Adejobi, their victim, one Nkechi reported her ordeal to the police after she was released from the kidnappers den.

She was kidnapped in front of her shop, behind Shell petroleum at Rumudara in Obiakpor LGA of Rivers State.

The kidnappers had come under the guise of buying goods from her and forced her into their Lexus 470 Car and drove away to an unknown destination. They were said to be well armed with AK-47 rifles.

“They kept her in an uncompleted building for four days and released her after N1.5 million ransom was paid. Operatives of the IRT put their shoulders to the Wheel and arrested them through credible intelligence.” Adejobi said.