Operatives of the Nigeria Police in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government of Edo State have arrested two suspected members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate linked to the abduction of a medical doctor, Dr Ibrahim Tahir Momoh, in a major breakthrough against violent crime in the area.
The suspects were apprehended by officers of the Auchi Division at the Auchi General Hospital, where they reportedly went to visit a relative, unaware that the man they had abducted was working at the facility as a medical doctor.
Security sources said the arrests followed intelligence-led action that exposed what authorities described as one of the most feared and dangerous kidnapping syndicates responsible for several high-profile abductions in Auchi and its environs, where huge ransoms had previously been paid.
Uptown Press gathered that the suspects were directly involved in the kidnapping of Dr Momoh around the Igbira Camp area of Auchi. During the ordeal, the kidnappers allegedly demanded ransom and later killed the doctor’s brother in a tragic turn of events, despite receiving payment.
According to the information available, the suspects unknowingly walked into Auchi General Hospital to greet a sick relative while Dr Momoh, whom they had abducted, was on duty and even attending to patients, including their relative. Upon recognising them, security personnel were immediately alerted, leading to their swift arrest.
The suspects are currently being transported to Benin City, where they are expected to be handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further interrogation and prosecution.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had yet to issue an official statement on the arrest and further investigation efforts.
This is a developing story.
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