By MONDAY IJEH

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Special Tactical Squad (STS) have arrested seven suspects over the kidnapping and murder of one of their victims in Kuje area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Commander of STS, ACP Godfrey Victor, said this during a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

He said the arrest of the suspects followed the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Olatunji Disu to intensify efforts towards reducing crimes in the FCT and its environs.

Victor said the arrest followed actionable intelligence in collaboration with vigilante operatives, and other security agencies at Rijana community in Kaduna State and Sabo Lugbe community in the FCT.

The commander said the operation also led to the recovery of the decomposing body of their victim, Miss Oluwadamilola Adedayo from a forest at Tukuba Community in Kuje Area of the FCT.

He said the operation followed a report of an abduction at gunpoint in a “commando-style operation” at Plot B184, Adedayo Adeosun Street in Kuchiyako Community in Kuje Area Council.

Victor said Adedayo and three other members of her family, her mother, Mrs Nancy, her 12-year-old brother, King David and their housemaid, Jennifer David were abducted during the attack.

The commander said their mother was released about one hour after the abduction to coordinate ransom payment.

“The housemaid and the 12-year-old boy were severely assaulted and abandoned unconscious in a forest but later regained consciousness and found their way home.

“The family subsequently paid a ransom of N16.2 million for the release of their daughter with an additional request for N50 million by the kidnappers,” he said.

The commander said further investigation revealed that on Sept. 24, the same syndicate abducted Mr John Ali, a businessman at Kuje and collected N3 million alongside recharge cards valued N100,000 before releasing him.

He said operatives of the STS commenced an intelligence led operation that led to the arrest of two members of the syndicate in Rijana Community in Kaduna State following a petition to the I-G on Oct. 15.

According to him, five additional suspects were subsequently arrested at Sabo Lugbe area of Abuja through the joint efforts of operatives of STS, vigilante groups, and other security agencies.

Victor said the decomposing body of Oluwadamilola Adedayo was recovered on Oct. 19, following an operation he led where operatives proceeded to the gang’s camp in Tukuba forest in Kuje Area Council.

He said investigation had revealed that the victim was murdered after resisting an attempt to rape her.

The commander said the remains had been evacuated to a hospital mortuary for preservation and possible autopsy.

He said items recovered from the suspects were one mobile phone, used for negotiation, four Ak-47 riffles, one locally made revolver pistol and 63 rounds of live ammunition. (NAN)