Police arrest kidnap kingpin, gang members in Calabar

The Police in Cross River State have arrested a kidnap kingpin in Calabar, popularly known as “Black”, and three other gang members behind the aborted abduction of a former staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Caroline Bassey.

Spokesperson for the command, who confirmed the development yesterday, Irene Ugbo, said it was a milestone breakthrough, especially as there have been pockets of abductions in the metropolis.

The former INEC staff was abducted on Saturday by gunmen at her residence at 28, Mathias Oje Avenue in Calabar Municipality.She was picked with the assistant of her tenant (name withheld), who gave the gang information about her (landlady) financial status.

However, the police in swift operation arrested three of the fleeing gang members on Saturday, and rescued the victim with the help of the youths at Njangachang community in Akamkpa Local Council of the state.

The kidnap kingpin (Black), who fled to his girlfriend’s house was arrested yesterday at Daniel Ayongor street off Victory Way, Satellite town in Calabar Municipality.

It was gathered that during the operation led by Superintendent of Police (SP) Chukwuma Ogini of the Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Squad (ACKS), Black is the brain behind Saturday’s abduction was apprehended inside a ceiling in his girlfriend’s house in Satellite Town, Calabar.

According to Ugbo, the principal suspect, ‘Black’ went to take refuge at his girlfriend’s apartment where he was arrested based on intelligence. She revealed that the said female suspect (tenant to Mrs. Bassey) has also confessed how she planned her landlady’s abduction with the kidnap syndicate.

“Items recovered from the kidnappers arrested by the police on Saturday include a Toyota Highlander Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonging to the victim, a Toyota Corolla with no number plate, pump action, criminal charms amongst others.

“We want to state that no kidnapper or criminal will breathe well in Cross River. They must all leave our beloved peaceful state for good,” Ugbo added.