Kidnappers of Lebanese arrested in Oyo State

A gang of kidnappers that abducted a Lebanese businessman, identified as Elias Bashour, in the Podo area of Ibadan has been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command.

The kidnappers identified as  – Joseph Udoma, 35; Matthew Egbulu, 23; Samue Agu, 32, and Monday Omugbe – stormed the block-moulding company of the Lebanese after an accomplice, now at large, reportedly gave information to the gang members.

After robbing workers of their valuables, which included money and mobile phones, the men were said to have seized Bashour and whisked him away to a forest along Ijebu Ode Road.

The state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, said the suspected criminals had yet to make contact with the family of their victim before the police apprehended them in their hideouts in Ogun State.

He said, “On September 13, 2017, at about 10.30pm, a five-man kidnap syndicate invaded a block-moulding company in the Podo area of Ibadan and robbed workers of their mobile phones, cash and other property. The armed gang also abducted Bashour, who is the owner of the company.

“As soon as information got to the police, patrol teams along the roads in Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode areas were alerted and they went after them. They were forced to abandon their vehicle and the victim.

“After investigation, three members of the gang were arrested at their hideouts in the Ilese and Ibiade areas of Ijebu, Ogun State.

They disclosed that a member at large, named Sunday, supplied the information and coordinated the operation.”