Three suspects, who posed as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission operatives, abducted and robbed students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, have been copped, said the police command in Niger.

On Friday, a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, indicated that two informants who aided and abetted the operation were also arrested.

Mr Abiodun said the police received information at about 8:00 p.m., on May 13, that four of the suspects stormed the students’ off-campus lodge and allegedly abducted two students under the pretence of being EFCC operatives.

He said the suspects whisked the students away in a Toyota Corolla with Reg. No. ABJ 245 CU.

Mr Abiodun explained that the Police operatives attached to Lapai Division immediately mobilised and trailed the vehicle to Suleja Road, by Kwakuti, where the suspects were arrested.

The suspects are Emmanuel Linus, 30, of Deidei, Hyelda Aliyu, 28, of Nyanya, and Abduljallid Tanko, 33, of Karu, all in Abuja.

“The suspects were arrested with the said vehicle, but unfortunately, one Alfa James among the suspects escaped from the scene. During interrogation, they confessed that they were invited by their informants, as this is their means of livelihood.

“They entered one of the students’ rooms with three electric tasers held as guns, collected five phones and abducted two persons,” Mr Abiodun explained.

According to him, the suspects had requested N10 million from the students and negotiated to N500,000 before they were arrested.

“They confessed further that the ID cards used were designed at a shop in Nyanya, Abuja, bearing the same identification number 1069,” he said.

The spokesperson also gave the names of their informant collaborators, Mohammed Hassan and Hamisu Adamu, who are from Angwan-Hausa in Lapai.

He explained that the informants gave one of the suspects, Mr Linus,  information about the students, who knew each other in Paiko.

Mr Abiodun said Mr Linus had been identified as a dismissed soldier with criminal records and had been convicted two years ago.

He said that further investigation was ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department, saying they would be prosecuted immediately after the investigation.

(NAN)