Police Nab Suspected Abductors Of Rescued US Citizen

The Nigeria Police Force said it has arrested two members of a transnational kidnap syndicate involved in the abduction of Philippe Wanton, a United States citizen in October.

Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, about six weeks after the victim was rescued by US military forces in Nigeria.

He noted that the victim, Philippe Walton, was kidnapped on October 28 at his farm in Masalata Village in the Republic of Niger.

The American’s suspected abductors, Aliyu Abdullahi (21), and Aliyu Umaru (23), both from Sokoto State, were arrested on November 25.

Read also: Kidnappers Free Retired US Soldier In Ekiti

Mba said in a statement: “The two suspects – members of a 15-man kidnap gang of Nigerian-Nigerien extraction, led by Barte Dan Alhaji and Dan Buda – were arrested following a special intelligence-led operation aimed at arresting the criminal gang, disrupting and halting other criminal activities by them.

“Investigations by the Intelligence Response Team reveal that the gang was plotting other abductions to avenge the death of their cohorts – four Nigeriens and two Nigerians – who died during the rescue operations.

“The Force is collaborating with its Nigerien counterpart in the investigations to apprehend other members of the transnational syndicate currently at large.”

Mba however said that the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as the police complete their investigations.

Eko Hot Blog had reported that US military forces carried out a covert rescue operation in Northern Nigeria in a bid to secure Wanton’s release last month.