The Niger State Police Command has apprehended three men who allegedly posed as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and abducted two students from Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.
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The suspects – Emmanuel Linus, Hyelda Aliyu, and Abduljallid Tanko, were arrested on May 13 along Suleja Road following a distress call received by the police around 8:00 p.m. One other suspect, identified as Alfa James, reportedly escaped during the operation.
Police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed in a statement that the suspects used fake EFCC identification cards and electric tasers to intimidate the students. The abductors also seized five mobile phones from their victims and initially demanded a ransom of N10 million, which they later reduced to N500,000.
The police also arrested two individuals — Mohammed Hassan and Hamisu Adamu — who allegedly acted as informants and provided details about the students to the gang.
Further investigations revealed that one of the suspects, Emmanuel Linus, is a dismissed soldier with a criminal history. He was reportedly convicted two years ago.
All arrested suspects are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), and police say they will face prosecution once investigations are concluded.
