Kogi State Police Command in Lokoja on Tuesday paraded nine persons suspected to be behind recent armed robbery and kidnapping incidents in the Okene and Lokoja axis of Kogi.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, while briefing newsmen, said the suspects included a seven-man robbery gang that was arrested at different locations in the state on Sept. 6.

According o him, two members of the gang, Muhammed Yusuf and Abdulrahim Sani, were arrested while on a robbery operation on the Eika-Itae road.

He said that both Yusuf and Sani later provided information that led to the arrest of Suleiman Abdulazeez, Aliyu Bariyu, Yakubu Yusuf, Yahaya Musa and Haruna Shaibu at their hideouts.

Ojukwu said that one of them, Suleiman Abdulazeez, was also found to be in possession of 207 valid voter registration forms, which he had yet to account for.

He said that a locally made pistol, a double-barrel gun, three live cartridges, masks and charms were also recovered from the suspects.

The Commissioner added that his men, while acting on a tip-off, stormed a popular hotel in Lokoja to arrest some kidnap suspects but said that only one of them , Abubakar Ori, was arrested, while others fled.

According to Ojukwu, the remaining suspect, Shagari Adamu, was arrested in connection with the killing of one Ogbabele Obi and the kidnapping of Mrs. Cynthia Obi at Obajana area on Aug. 21.

He said that all the suspects would be made to face the law for various offences committed, saying that criminals are in for a rough time with his arrival in the state.

Ojukwu also appealed to the public to assist the police with credible information that may lead to the arrest of criminals in the state. (NAN)

•Photo shows Kogi Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Ojukwu.