Kidnappers Kill Victim After Collecting N10m Ransom

-Co-workers allegedly involved in the kidnap and death of a petroleum worker in Port Hacourt.

-Police have now arrested some of those involved in the kidnap of the man who died while in the custody of his abductors.

-Vehicles and other items used for the kidnap was also recovered by men of the Nigeria Police.

Police arrest kidnappers who murdered their victim and still collected N10m ransom.

Seven suspects have been arrested by the police in connection with the kidnap and eventual death of a 64-year-old man, Mr Ubani Onyema.

The deceased was allegedly murdered by his abductors who still went ahead to collect a N10m ransom for his release.

After his kidnap, a ransom of N100m, which was later negotiated to N10m was demanded for his release.

The arrested suspects have all confessed to the crime which was carried out in connection with three men who worked in the same company as the victim and a cultist who provided arms for the operation.

Information made available by the police also revealed a pre-registered sim was used in negotiating and picking up the ransom.

The arrest of the suspected criminals was confirmed on Wednesday in Lagos  by Abba Kyari, team commander, Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team.

Kyari, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said the victim, a production manager in Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Ltd., was kidnapped by gunmen in Woji area of Port Harcourt on Oct. 16.

“Eventually, the ransom was negotiated down to N10m, which was paid to the kidnappers despite not getting a proof of life.

“IRT operatives deployed to Port Harcourt by IGP Ibrahim Idris swung into action as the hostage was not released after the ransom was paid as negotiated and agreed.

“Unrelenting follow up by the IRT eventually led to the arrest of seven of the kidnappers. Suspects confessed to various roles each played in the kidnap.

“They admitted that the victim died on the very day of his kidnap as a result of gunshot wounds he sustained during the incident.

“They still went ahead to collect a ransom of N10m,” Kyari said.

“Items recovered from the gang include one AK-47 rifle and two vehicles used in the kidnap.

“Effort is ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members, recover arms and the body of the victim which they confessed to have dumped into a river,” Kyari said.