Crime
“I’m A Car Thief, Not A Kidnapper,” Wheelchair-Bound Suspect
Chinaza Philip, a wheelchair-driving suspect, has admitted that he is a car thief rather than a kidnapper.
Following his activities in the Federal Capital Territory, the 28-year-old suspect, who hails from Enugu State, was apprehended in Kaduna.
However, his statement is that his gang specialises in auto theft not kidnapping which he is being accused of.
According to the suspect who was staggering in excruciating pain as a result of a gunshot on one of his legs, “anything I am telling you is the truth and nothing but the truth. I know some people will say I am lying. Between God and man, I am not a kidnapper. I want the whole world to know that I am not a kidnapper.
“I and my friends were on patrol, looking out for cars to steal. We collect cars from park. We saw one Hilux in a compound and we turned back. We entered and asked the owner for the key, which he gave us.
“The aim and plan was not to carry the man, but I don’t know why my friend Yellow said we should carry him. We took the man on the back seat with me. I never knew that the intention of Yellow is to collect money from him. He asked the man how much he has in his account and he said N5 million. I did not have power to stop Yellow, it was one of us who was pointing gun at the man.
“It was Yellow that brought the guns. I don’t know Yellow very well, it was my friend Chidiebere who introduced me to Yellow. I did not know it was kidnapping we were in for, I thought it was our normal car stealing.”
FCT Police boss, CP Garuba Haruna, who addressed newsmen on the subject, noted that it was apt to give an update on the steps the Command has taken to safeguard the lives and properties of the residents of FCT.
According to him, “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun had on January 17, 2024 launched Special Intervention Squad (SIS) at Force Headquarters, Abuja to curb the menace of kidnapping and armed banditry and other sundry crimes in the Federal Capital Territory.
“The launch of this special squad has yielded positive results as all the identified bandit’s routes especially in Bwari Area Council has been blocked by the Police thereby denying them access into the FCT via Niger, Kaduna and Nasarawa States.
“Since then, no case of kidnapping has been recorded in that axis.
In addition, many kidnapping and armed robbery suspects have been arrested and victims rescued.
“In the same vein, several arms and live ammunitions and vehicles taken away from victims have been recovered.
The following is the synopsis of some of the successes recorded.
“On January 17, 2024 at around 7.pm, the complainant/victim, Segun Akinyemi of No 10 Birnin Kebbi street, Garki 2 Abuja, was abducted in front of his house while driving out with his gray colored Hilux Van with Reg. No. RBC 90 DL by four armed men who laid siege in a white Mercedez Benz 230 car.
“The FCT police command via the control room alerted the patrol teams and men on the entry/exit points for rescue of the victim and arrest of the suspects. The CP FCT placed a call to his counterparts in the contiguous states especially Kaduna.
“This contact paid off as police operatives in Kaduna intercepted the armed hoodlums at a filling station in Kawo, Kaduna State. There was an exchange of fire between the police operatives and the kidnappers. That while three of them escaped, one of the suspect later identified as Chinaza Philip Okoye was arrested.
“Three English pistols with 15 rounds of live ammunition and the said Hilux Van were recovered from him. The victim who was in the vehicle was rescued unhurt. “Preliminary investigation revealed that two out of four armed men are Abuja-based; Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael and one Chidibere. It was also discovered that Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael and his accomplices had earlier been arrested, sometimes in November 2023, for armed robbery, and a snatched Honda car was recovered from them.
“He and his accomplices were arraigned before a High Court Judge in Kwali, Abuja, but were granted court bail, only for the suspects to get involved in this particular kidnapping case.”
Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.
The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.
The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.
ALSO READ: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence
According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”
The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.
The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.
The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.
The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of an 86-year-old man and his son after they were allegedly detained by suspected members of the Axe Men confraternity in Cross River State.
The victims, identified as Dominic Columbus Udoh, 86, and his son, Emmanuel Columbus Udoh, 40, were rescued by Police operatives on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across the country.
SEE ALSO: Benue: Police Repel Bandit Ambush, Recover Locally Fabricated Gun
According to the Force, Police operatives were mobilised to the scene after receiving information that suspected Axe Men confraternity cultists had unlawfully detained the two men.
The Police said the suspected cultists fled from the scene when operatives arrived.
The Force stated that officers, with assistance from neighbours, “forced open the locked apartment,” where the two victims were found.
According to the Police, both victims had sustained facial and chest injuries.
They were subsequently rescued and conveyed to the Police Hospital for medical treatment.
The Police said the incident is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) repelled an ambush by suspected bandits along the Amaafu-Abaji Road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a routine patrol by the security personnel along the road.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across different states.
SEE MORE: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence
According to the Police, “Personnel of Operation Zenda JTF on routine patrol along Amaafu-Abaji Road successfully repelled an ambush by bandits, neutralizing one suspect and recovering his locally fabricated gun.”
The Police added that other members of the group fled into the surrounding bushes following the encounter.
It further stated that “No Police casualty was recorded” during the operation.
The recovered firearm was subsequently taken as part of the evidence from the operation as investigations continue.
The Police said the case has been placed under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi.
The Police Force continues to urge members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and useful information that can assist ongoing operations against criminal elements.
Group Tackles Atiku on NNPC Ltd’s ₦11.2tn Federation Receivables
Ndindi Nyoro Gives Ruto 14 Days to Disclose Dangote Refinery Deal
Atiku Blows Lid on NNPC Ltd’s ₦11.2trn Receivables, Pipeline Contracts
Military Gear Found at Ondo Crash Site as Helicopter Burns to Rubble
JUST IN: Oluremi Tinubu Arrives BATICC for APC Women’s Pre-Inaugural Ceremony Arrives BATICC for APC Women’s Pre-Inaugural Ceremony
‘Nigerians Still Exposed to Kidnappers Despite Subsidy Savings for Security’ – Atiku
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
