Kidnappers now withdraw ransom from ATMs, say police

THE Rivers State Police Command says kidnappers in the state have changed their mode of operation. The police said the new method being employed by kidnappers was to first abduct their victims and force them to reveal their ATM Personal Identification Numbers.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, said after withdrawing the money, the kidnappers would then release their victims.

He urged members of the public to be wary of how they carried their ATM card.

He said, “The command wishes to bring to the notice of the general public of the new technique employed by criminals to drain their victims’ bank accounts by keeping them hostage and using the victims’ ATM cards to withdraw money from their account.

“Such victim regains freedom only after his bank account has been exhausted. Members of the public are hereby advised to exercise caution when moving about with their ATM cards on them unless it is most necessary.”

On the immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Okey Wali, who was abducted by unknown gunmen, he said the command was working round the clock to ensure he (Wali) was rescued safely.

He said the police had arrested 20 suspected kidnappers who had allegedly been terrorising the state in the last few months.

The PPRO said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday that 15 suspected armed robbers were also apprehended by security operatives within the month October.

He identified some of the kidnap suspects as Hassan Adamu, Musa Mohadiyi, Asonye Obi, Thankgod Ayebatari, Raphael Nwankwo, Philip Efe and Maxwell Onogarigbo.

He said, “On October 10, 2014, two suspected kidnappers namely Hassan Adamu and Musa Mohadiyi, who kidnapped Emeka Paulinus Ajukwara on August 21, 2014, were arrested with their victim’s vehicle with plate number, YEN 348 CO.

“Upon interrogation, the suspects confirmed killing and burying their victim. Abbas Musa, another member of the gang, was also arrested while the grave of their victim was located. A locally-made pistol was recovered from them.

“On October 3, 2014, a gang of suspected kidnappers called one Samuel Eke and informed him that they heard that another gang was plotting to kidnap him, but stopped them.

Source: PUNCH