Police said on Tuesday that they have arrested a suspect for allegedly luring a nine-year-old boy out of school and kidnapping him for ransom.

Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mba made this known while addressing newsmen in Abuja.

Mba said the suspect allegedly lured the boy out of his school premises under the pretext that he was told by the parents to take him to a computer centre for training.

He said the suspect took the boy out of the school and held him hostage in a non-violent manner and without use of force.

Mba said the boy was held hostage until the parents were able to pay the N1.5 million ransom demanded by the suspect.

He said the boy had been successfully rescued and reunited with his family and the suspect, arrested in possession of the N1.5 million ransom paid to him.

The police spokesman said the suspect was arrested by operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team following complaints by the boy’s parents.

READ ALSO:

• Lawyer and husband of Folorunsho Alakija accused of fighting in public
• JUST IN: Amid pregnancy rumours, Aisha Buhari orders staff to proceed on indefinite leave
• How I killed Igbinbedion’s mother, arrested maid confesses

Mba said that in another development, five suspects, a male and four female were arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting armed robbery, kidnapping and banditry in Kaduna State.

He said the suspects were core collaborators and facilitators of kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry in some forests in the state.

He said the suspects were all from Zaria in Kaduna State and had been working with very notorious bandits in the various forests.

“They help to carry out surveillance of potential targets, pass information to the bandits, visit them in the bush and help them to make purchases including the supply of food items and medicals.

“One of the suspects has a brother and a boyfriend in the camp.

“She had gone as far as introducing so many other girls to the gang members for their sexual pleasures,’’ he said.

READ ALSO:

• MURIC to Lagos State Government: Give us a circular on hijab
• Aisha Buhari neither sick nor pregnant, says aide
• Ghanaian lawmakers exchange blows over mobile money tax

Mba added that the suspects were among the 26 suspects, 21 male and five female arrested by the police over offences of kidnapping, robbery, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, impersonation, and fraud.

He said 16 assorted firearms, including one AK49 riffle, three AK47 riffles, seven Ak47 magazines and 157 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

Mba said assorted gadgets, mostly smartphones of both Samsung and iPhone brands were also recovered from the suspects.

Vanguard