State Services arrest Air Force personnel for kidnap, murder

December 25, 2013

A Nigerian Air Force personnel, Lance Corporal Suleiman Mohammed, has been arrested alongside six others for the kidnap and death of a Sokoto-based businessman.

Doyin Adetuberu, an Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), while parading the seven suspects in Abuja, on Tuesday, said that they kidnapped the late businessman, Alhaji Abu Dankure on November 6.

He gave the name of the other suspects as Mustapha Isah, Mohammed Abubakar, Farouk Waziri, Mohammed Bukar, Usman Idah, and Abdullahi Musa.

Adetuberu said that Dankure died 11 days...............

after he was set free by his kidnappers on November 11, adding that the suspects received $290,000 before they set him free.

He said that the act was masterminded by Isa, who confessed to the crime.

“On November 6, 2013, Alhaji Abu Dankure, a prominent Sokoto-based businessman and philanthropist was kidnapped at his construction site, located in Kofar, Kwari area, along Western by-pass, Sokoto. Dankure was released by his captors on November 11, 2013 and died 11 days later.’’

Adetuberu said Abdullahi Musa, 31, an indigene of Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State, who resides in Sabongeri, Kano State, confessed that in September, he rented a 3-bedroom apartment at Mabera area of Sokoto, which was used for the kidnap operation.

He also confessed to have collected 290,000 dollars ransom in Kwali Area Council of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, after which he ordered the release of the victim, who was under their custody for five days.

Lance Corporal Suleiman Mohammed (far left) and his co-conspirators, paraded in Abuja on December 24, 2013.

The other suspects confessed to being part of the kidnap but the Air Force Lance Corporal denied any involvement, insisting that he only sold a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 to Musa.

He, however, admitted to having told one of the gang members that his uncle could assist them in procuring some arms.

Adetuberu said that the 24-year-old NAF personnel was attached to the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Abuja and resided at the NAF base, Airport Road.

The assistant director reiterated the determination of the Service to combat all forms of insecurity in the country.

He also appealed to the public to be vigilant and to continue to cooperate with law enforcement agencies.

Culled from-The Nigerian Telegraph