Ibrahim Tunbow, a suspected kidnapper, has been taken into custody by Federal Capital Territory Police Command officers.
Tunbow, who was detained on Monday afternoon, was charged with using a 17-year-old boy’s phone in the FCT’s Kwali neighborhood to negotiate with and obtain ransom from the victims’ family members.
After receiving the ransom, the suspect allegedly offered the adolescent N30,000, but the child reportedly declined the offer.
According to a local who requested anonymity for security reasons, Tunbow threatened to kill the youngster if he revealed to anyone that he used his phone for calls.
The child was horrified by the threat, the insider continued, and he informed his parents what transpired adding that his parents reported the situation to the police.
He said on Tuesday, “What happened was that Tunbow first asked the 17-year-old boy to allow him to use his phone to make calls that his phone was faulty. He made friends with him and subsequently started using the boy’s phone for calls, and sometimes he received calls demanding to speak with Tunbow.
“As soon as he receives the calls, he won’t be seen around for sometimes. Recently, he brought N30,000 and gave to the boy. The boy asked what the money was meant for, Tunbow said it was his share out of the money he made from those calls he normally received using his phone.
“The boy refused to collect the money. He threatened to kill him if he tells anyone that he uses his phone to receive and make calls. The boy was scared and explained everything that happened to his parents. The matter was reported to the police. Tunbow was arrested yesterday afternoon. ”
When contacted, the FCT Command Spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the arrest, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest others.
She added, “Tunbow has been arrested, and he is in our custody. He confessed to using the boy’s phone to make calls during interrogation.
“He also confessed to being behind some of the abductions in Yangoji, Sahda, and Killankwa. We have intensified efforts to arrest other members of his gang.”
She, however, warned residents to be mindful of allowing strangers to make calls with their mobile phones.
Adeh said, “We want to use this medium to caution residents to be mindful of giving their phones to strangers to make calls. Parents should also caution their children against giving their phones to strangers. “
