Police Arrest 2 Suspected Political Thugs In Kogi

By Joseph Edeh, Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested two suspected leaders of gangs of political thugs, who have been on the wanted list of the force in the last two years.

The suspects are: Kabiru Saidu 31, leader, a.k.a Osama from Dekina Local Government Area, and Nuhu Salisu 25, a.k.a Small.

A statement by the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, said that the suspects were arrested by the Police Command in Kogi and the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad on Jan.19, at Ogojueje in Dekina Local Government Area of the State.

Moshood said that items recovered from the suspects include two AK47 Rifles, five Pump Action Guns, two locally made Pistol with one using AK47 Ammunition and a hip of charms.

He said that the suspects confessed to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of several kidnappings and Armed Robbery in different towns across the state and its environs.

Moshood said that they also confessed to be political thugs recruited by some mischievous politicians in the state to cause mayhem, disruption of peace, and destruction of lives and property.

“They also confessed to belong to the dreaded and vicious kidnap for ransom gang under a gang leader (name withheld).’’

He said that the suspects were identified by some of their victims.
Moshood said that Saidu confessed to have been working as a political thug for one Alhaji Mohammed Audu, a politician in the state.

He said Audu invited him to Abuja and introduced him to Sen, Dino Melaye and they met at Airport road, Abuja inside Melaye’s car in the month of Dec. 2017.

“The suspect further confessed that Melaye told him that they should start working for him as his political thugs and they should recruit and train more other thugs to work for him in preparation toward 2019 General election,’’ he said.

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He said that Saidu further confessed that Melaye handed over a bag containing one AK47 rifle, two Pump Action guns and N430,000.00 to share with his boys.

He said that following the allegation against Melaye by Saidu, the force wrote a letter dated 2nd March to the President of the Senate to release Melaye to the Commissioner of Police in Kogi for questioning.

The spokesman said that in spite of the request, Melaye refused to honour the invitation till date.

He said that a case of criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms had been filed by the Force at Federal High Court, Lokoja on March 16 against the two suspects, Melaye and Audu,

“The renewed commitment of the Force to sustain the tempo of the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country and guarantee protection of lives and property remain unequivocal and unwavering,’’ he said. (NAN)