Assistant Comptroller of Custom, Justina Tanko abducted by a gang of kidnappers 13th November have been rescued.
Tanko was abducted from a restaurant in Onne, Rivers State and taken to an unknown destination. A security guard in the restaurant also a member of the syndicate facilitated the kidnap.
Upon receipt of the information on the kidnap, operatives of IGP-intelligence Response Team (IRT) deployed to Port Harcourt by IGP Ibrahim K. Idris led by DCP Abba Kyari immediately commenced an investigation into the kidnap and with the aid of technical intelligence, active members of the gangs were identified.
Immediately after a negotiated ransom of five million Naira (N5,000,000) was paid by her family on 15th November to avoid risking her life during a rescue operation, the operation that led to her release commenced.
She was subsequently freed at about 11:30 pm of the 15th.
Operatives immediately commenced an action and within 24 hours after her release, the first suspect was arrested and subsequently in an operation that lasted for about 72 hours, seven confirmed members of the gang were also arrested.
The gang is notorious for kidnap for ransom and thereafter causing the disappearance of their hostages after collection of ransom in some of their kidnappings.
According to a statement released by the police, the gang made some confessions of their robbery escapades where they operate in two Local Government Areas of Eleme LGA and Gonna LGA in Rivers State with a strong hold in Biara town in Gokana LGA and Trailer park in Eleme LGA.
The gang members and their roles include:
1. Zigabari Voonu, 32, from Ogu-Gbolo LGA Rivers State. He works as a security guard in the restaurant the Customs Officer frequently uses. He brought the kidnapping job to one ‘Bobo” and his gang. He also alerted the gang when the officer arrived at the restaurant on the day of the kidnap. He is a member of the deadly Degbam secret cult.
2. Maxwell Barindom, 32, from Gokana LGA, Rivers State. He is a member of Degbam secret cult and a close ally of the leader of the gang. He partook in planning the kidnap and his phone was used for the ransom negotiation.
3. Dele Kunewo-Liaga, 35, from Gokana LGA Rivers State. He has brought numerous kidnap jobs to “Bobo” and his gang. He is also a member of the deadly Degbam secret cult.
4. Tordi Barinaa, 27, from Gokana LGA. An active member of the gang and has gone on numerous kidnap operations. He is also a member of the deadly Degbam secret cult.
5. Godspower Keenom alias “Immortal”, 23, from Gokana LGA Rivers State. An active member of the gang Involved in numerous heinous crimes including the kidnap of one Chibuike Ezewuno, whom suspect confirmed was killed and thrown into a river after collecting a ransom of Three million Naira with his share being 300k. He is a member of Degbam secret cult.
6. Justice Afangide alias Max P, 33, from Etimekpo LGA, Akwa Ibom State. An ex-convict of Port Harcourt maximum prison, he has engaged in a lot of heinous crimes including armed robbery and kidnapping. His share from the customs officer’s kidnap was N350,000 which he invested in illegal oil bunkering.
7. Oludofin Yakubu, 26, from Ondo State. An ex-convict of Port Harcourt maximum prison. He is the operational driver of the gang who drove the car that was used to kidnap the officer.
Exhibits recovered include, two Ak47 riffles and Pump Action Gun, the gangs’ operational vehicle and the VW Golf belonging to Chibuike Ezenkwu whom the gang kidnapped in May 2018 and till date has not been released as the gang confessed that he was killed and thrown into the river after collection of ransom because he knows them.
Suspects are cooperating with Operatives and have made more useful confessions that will aid the investigation. While a frantic effort is still ongoing to arrest “Bobo Biara,” the gang leader who is still in possession of the large chunk of ransom meant for members of the gang already arrested and also the arrest of other fleeing gang members and recovery of more weapons.
