Police nab Islamic teacher linked to kidnappers

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 52-year-old Islamic teacher, Jubril Ibrahim. He is accused of making charms for suspected kidnappers in the Edo North Senatorial District.

Ibrahim was displayed with four suspected kidnappers and six other suspects at the police headquarters in Benin City on Tuesday.

While showing the suspects, the Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daor, said the kidnappers were caught in Niger State. This happened due to intelligence work by the command's operatives.

Ibrahim denied making charms for the kidnappers. He said he only prayed for one of them, Ahmadu Suleiman, at the request of the suspect’s mother.

Speaking through an interpreter, Ibrahim explained, “I gather Almajiri and teach them the Qur’an. So, Ahmadu Suleiman’s mother came to me and said I should be praying for her son, that he travels a lot, so I should pray for his safe trip to and from, and that is what I have been doing. I pray for him to have a safe trip.”

When asked if he knew Suleiman had an AK-47 rifle, Ibrahim said he was aware the suspect had a gun.

Suleiman, 24, also spoke through an interpreter. He admitted to taking part in a kidnapping in Auchi. He said he worked with different kidnapping groups across the country and returned to Niger State after their operations.

He shared, “When we get to the community, we look for a beautiful house and shoot into the air. In the process of scampering for their lives, they run out, and we hold them and take them to the bush and demand money.

“I got N1m from the Auchi operation, and that was the only kidnapping I involved myself in in that area.”

When asked if the group had informants in the communities, Suleiman said they did not. He explained they targeted areas by spotting expensive cars and buildings.

The police also showed a 21-year-old suspect involved in a baby theft at Ring Road, Benin City.

They recovered a stolen vehicle during the operation.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said the arrests happened because of intelligence gathered by operatives of the command.

Ikoedem urged the public to keep helping the police by giving credible information that could prevent crime and catch criminals.