Kidnappers’ middleman arrested in Enugu  

A crime suspect, who confessed being a member of a Lagos-based kidnap gang, has been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)  in Enugu.

Danny Manuel, spokesman of the NSCDC in Enugu, said three ATM cards, two mobile phones, a wrap of  substance suspected to be cannabis and an improvised pistol hidden under other contents in a mini-bag, among other things, were recovered from the suspect.

He identified the suspect, who was picked up on September 30, 2021, as Oguchi Oguamanam, of 7, Monarch Avenue by Timber Junction, near Ugwu-Aji community in Enugu South Local Government Area.

According to Manuel,  Oguamanam was arrested by the operatives on routine patrol duty at WTC Estate within Enugu at about 2 p.m. after students returning from school spotted him using the pistol to rob a resident.

Manuel said: “On interrogation, the suspect admitted to be working with a criminal gang based in Lagos.

“He revealed that the gang usually pays  money into his account which he will withdraw and pay into whatever account they send to him and therein take his own percentage.

“He also claimed that some group of boys once robbed him in the same estate and that he prepared the improvised pistol to use it a revenge strategy whenever he sees any of the boys.

“He said that one of the handsets found on him actually belonged to him, but as to the android phone he could not explain how he came about it.”

Manuel assured Enugu residents of the NSCDC  readiness to collaborate with other security agencies in the state to always defend and secure the people .