* Receiver sells two Toyota SUVs for N1.6m

The police have arrested seven suspects for allegedly abducting Chief Ibrahim Pada, the traditional ruler of Rubochi community in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

Pada was abducted from his residence on November 27, 2019, and was released after paying N6m ransom.

The gang members were among the 71 suspects paraded by the force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Seven AK-47 rifles, cartons of tramadol and sacks of ammonia used in making dynamites were recovered from the suspects.

A member of the gang of kidnappers, Umar Garba, said they were paid N6m ransom by Pada’s family, adding that he got N50,000 for praying for the success of the operation.

Garba, 53, stated, “I offer prayers for criminals and I also give traditional medicine to people, who consult me. I have been offering spiritual support to criminal gangs for about six years.

“I was not directly involved in the abduction of the Rubochi district chief, but I prayed for the success of the operation. After he was kidnapped, I was given N50,000 as my share of the ransom.”

The force also paraded a buyer of stolen vehicles, Johnson Alfa, who claimed to have sold two Toyota Venza SUVs for N1.6m and a Toyota Corolla car for N400,000.

Alfa explained that he purchased five anti-tracker pieces of equipment from an online store, which he used in jamming trackers installed in vehicles brought to him by his accomplices.

“I started dealing in stolen vehicles in May this year and I have so far bought six vehicles from the gang that used to bring them. I have sold two Toyota Venza SUVs at N800,000 each and a Toyota Corolla for N400,000. I also bought a Lexus RX350 from my suppliers, but I have yet to sell it before I was arrested,” he stated.

Alfa advised car owners against making night trips, saying this was the favourite time for robbery operations.

Mba said four anti-trackers had been recovered from the suspect and cautioned online stores against selling certain security gadgets to members of the public.

He added that cartons of tramadol were intercepted in Bauchi on their way to Potiskum, while the sacks of ammonia were recovered in Zaria, Kaduna State, by police operatives.