A combined team of policemen from Benue and Enugu States, working alongside local vigilantes, have arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin, Yusuf Muhamed, in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Residents said the gang, led by Muhamed, had been terrorising communities in the area, a development that forced the Ogbadibo council chairman, Sunday Ajunwa, to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew.
According to eyewitnesses, the suspect, who was identified by his victims through his deformed left hand, was in charge of torturing captives at the kidnappers’ camp. One of the victims alleged that Muhamed inflicted severe physical harm on those in captivity.
Confirming the arrest, Chairman Ajunwa disclosed that the suspect attempted to escape but was pursued and caught by local youths before being handed over to security operatives.
“It is true that Yusuf has been arrested by the combined team of police from Makurdi and Enugu as well as vigilantes in the area. He attempted to run, but the youths pursued and caught him. Those he kidnapped made a confessional statement of how he tortured them in captivity,” Ajunwa said.
The council boss further confirmed that Muhamed and 21 other suspects are currently in police custody. He also noted that the security situation in Orokam has improved, although the curfew from 6pm to 6am remains in force.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she was yet to receive an official report of the incident.
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