SALIU SALIU
THREE kidnap suspects have accused the Nasarawa State Police Command of demanding N35 million for their release.
The suspects, who are in police custody in the state, alleged that they were being forced to admit to the crime and also part with the said amount to secure their freedom.
They disclosed this in a petition dated June 9, 2021, addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali.
The suspects insisted that they were not kidnappers and appealed for a transfer of the case out of Nasarawa.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bola Longe, however, dismissed their allegation as a blatant lie, warning that the Command would not be intimidated by the suspects’ accusations.
The three suspects are Bawa Adamu, Abdullahi Adamu and Ibrahim Bawa.
They were reportedly arrested for alleged kidnapping on April 15.
In the petition, signed by their Counsel, Oghenovo Otemu, the suspects said, out of 17 persons that were arrested,12 were released after paying certain sums for their bail.
They claimed that the Police, however, refused to release them and two others, insisting that they must part with N35 million.
The Commissioner, while refuting their claims, said pressure had been mounting from different quarters for the release of the suspects since they were arrested, adding that his Command remained resolute in its determination to curb crime in the state.
“We are firm; the Command will not be intimidated by the petitions flying from every corner,” he stated.
