A team of mobile police officers (MOPOLs) attached to the 40 Police Mobile Force in Jalingo, Taraba State has rejected a bribe of N8.5million from a suspected kidnapper and arrested him.
The state commissioner of police, CP Joseph Eribo, disclosed this when he paraded some suspected criminals in Jalingo, the state capital.
He said the suspected kidnapper was arrested on Monday at 9:45 pm in a Toyota Starlet car with registration number YLA 321 ZY on the Jalingo-Yola Bypass Road.
Eribo said, “When interrogated, the suspect could not give a satisfactory account of himself, hence a search was conducted on his vehicle and the following items were in his possession: a cash sum of N8.555 million, seven phones, 3,000 unused MTN recharge cards, four amulets.
“The suspect bribed the PMF personnel, requesting them to take the whole money and allow him to go, but the PMF personnel refused and arrested him accordingly. The case is under investigation and the suspect will soon be charged to court,” he said.
Meanwhile, troops of the 144 Battalion (Rear) of 6 Brigade, Jalingo, have engaged bandits who kidnapped three persons in Jalingo in a gun duel.
The acting assistant director of Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, Lt. Olubodunde Oni, in a statement, said the bandits were heading to Yorro when the troops engaged them in a gun battle.
He said, “Acting on intelligence regarding the movement of the bandits with their victims from Ardo-Kola to Yorro, troops deployed in Apawa village of Yorro local government area swiftly mobilised to the area and trailed the armed group.
“The troops displayed exceptional skill and determination, engaging the criminals with superior firepower.
“This forced the bandits to abandon their three abducted victims.
“We are pleased to report that the rescued individuals have been reunited with their families as we continue on the trail of the kidnappers,” he said.
