Notorious Abuja kidnapper Chinaza Philip now in our custody – FCT Police

Chinaza Philip, a notorious Abuja kidnapper who was arrested when his gang and their victim were intercepted by the police in Kaduna early Thursday morning has been handed over to the FCT Police Command.

The Spokesperson of Police in FCT, SP Josephine Adeh confirmed that Chinaza Philip has been handed over to the Command in a short statement on Friday,

“The FCT Police Command wishes to confirm the arrest of one Chinaza Phillip, a notorious Abuja kidnapper by police operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command on Thursday 18th January 2024.

“The suspect has been handed over to FCT police Command today being Friday 19th January, 2024, and currently in police custody,” Adeh said in the statement while promising to provide more information on the arrest of the suspect later.

The Kaduna Police Command in a statement on Thursday said the 28-year-old Chinaza Philip of Life Camp Abuja was arrested when its operatives rescued one Segun Akinyemi who was abducted in Abuja by members of his gang in FCT and was being taken to Kano.

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According to the statement signed by ASP Mansir Hassan, Kaduna Police Command spokesperson, operatives attached to the Kawo Divisional Headquarters, Kaduna received a distress call of a kidnapping incident from Abuja, indicating the culprits and their victim were transiting through Kaduna.

He said, “The operatives at about 0010 hours blocked a grey Toyota Hilux van with a registration number, Abuja RBC 90 DC, with four passengers, the driver inclusive, suspected to be the vehicle conveying the kidnappers and their victim.”

According to him, on sensing danger and to escape, one of the kidnappers fired at the Policemen and they responded accordingly.

Hassan said, “In the resulting gun duel, the victim, a certain Segun Akinyemi of block 10, flat 2 FCDA Quarters Area 3 Garki Abuja was rescued.

“One of the kidnappers, a 28-year-old Chinaza Philip of Life Camp Abuja was arrested while three others escaped although they are being trailed.

“Equally, the said vehicle belonging to the victim, two numbers of Retay G17 model pistol, one Beretta pistol, 10 9mm P.A.K ammunition and five 9mm special ammunition were recovered from the kidnappers.”

The Police spokesperson added that preliminary inquiries revealed that Akinyemi was abducted at about 1700 hours on Wednesday by the kidnappers just when he was leaving his home.

“The three escapees were; Chidibere Nwodibo of Life Camp Abuja, one Auwal surname unknown and the gang leader whose identity is yet to be ascertained.  The kidnappers were transporting their victim to Kano before they were intercepted by the Police,” Hassan said.