Kidnappers sharing ransom arrested in kogi forest

Local vigilantes and hunters have arrested two suspected members of a four-man kidnapping gang that had been terrorising travellers and residents along the Kogi-Enugu State boundary — catching them in the act of sharing ransom money inside their Egabada forest hideout.

According to Daily Trust, the operation, allegedly coordinated by the Special Security Adviser to the Kogi State Governor for Idah Federal Constituency, led to the arrest of Salisu Ladan and Sumaila Abuh after a tip-off directed vigilantes to the gang’s forest location. Two other members, identified as Babunga and Zafari, escaped during the raid.

“They successfully received ransom and released the victims. But luck ran against them while they were sharing the proceeds in Egabada forest — local vigilantes and hunters invaded their hideout and arrested two members,” a community source told our correspondent.

The two suspects confessed in a video clip to kidnapping one person over the weekend and collecting N200,000 ransom. Ladan claimed he carried only a cutlass during the operation.

Both suspects have been transferred to the Kogi State CID for further investigation, while efforts continue to apprehend the remaining two gang members. The Kogi State Police Command had not responded to enquiries at press time.