By Harris-Okon Emmanuel / Warri
Operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) have arrested three suspected kidnappers in Osubi, Okpe council of Delta State and rescued a staff of the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Toyin Raphael Atoyebi, who was last week abducted by the bandits.
It was gathered that the anti-kidnap squad of the SSS, which freed him from the kidnappers, also apprehended three of them inside a forest after a big fight.
Security sources gave the names of the suspects as Collins, Augustine, James and Ufuoma.
Atoyebi, who narrated his ordeal to newsmen, said the bandits trailed him as he was going home at about 6.00 pm at Otokutu in Udu council and that his wife and four children were with him in the car at the time of the incident.
He said the gang of four armed men ordered him out of his Acura Honda vehicle, put him in the trunk of the car and took to an unknown destination, adding that his wife and kids were spared but his wife immediately contacted the SSS in Warri, who swung into action the next day.
Daily Independent gathered the operatives trailed the kidnappers to their den where a gun duel ensued and at the end of the battle, the victim was rescued and the three suspected kidnappers nabbed while one escaped with severe injuries.
Items reportedly recovered from the scene of the incident included one cut to seize gun.
Ayotebi said one of the kidnappers, who handed the car key to the security personnel, also revealed to them where the vehicle was parked, adding that he was moved to three locations before succour came to him.
He stated that he was kept in the open in forest for the night, while the kidnappers negotiated for a ransom of N10 million with his wife and family members, saying that they were threatening to kill him if the money was not paid immediately before security operatives arrested them.
