The Nigerian Police has arrest Notorious Niger Delta militant and kidnapper Anthony Pepple aka “Urban Gorrilla” and other members of his Kidnapping syndicate, known for targeting Medical Doctors and Pharmacists in Port-Harcourt and collecting millions of naira ransom.
Following several reported cases of kidnapping in Port Harcourt, IGP Ibrahim Idris instructed the Intelligence Response Team IRT led by ACP Abba Kyari to bring an end to the menace of the syndicate.
Police said, on 01/04/17 at about 1500hrs, after diligence and pains taking Intelligence gathering and analysis and Technical support from TIU, operatives of IGP- Intelligence Response Team IRT deployed to Port-Harcourt arrested one Saheed Adekunle aka ‘Black Devil’ of Ede south LGA of Osun State.
Black Devil who resides in Port-Harcourt confessed to be introduced into Kidnapping by one Tony in 2016 and gave valuable information that led to the arrest of the Overall Gang leader Anthony Pepple aka ‘Urban Gorrilla’ of Bonny LGA of Rivers state, a very educated former staff of SAIPEM a Multinational Oil Servicing Company. He worked with the Company both in Nigeria and Abu-Dabi UAE.
Upon his arrest, Anthony Pepple confessed to be a key member of the Niger Delta Avengers blowing pipelines, masterminded the cold blooded murder of one Soboma George a militant commander in 2009.
He also confessed to being the Kingpin of a kidnap Syndicate that was known for targeting Medical Doctors and Pharmacist amongst other unsuspecting innocent members of the public in Port-Harcourt since 2015 collecting his ransoms in tens of millions of Naira.
Following his confession, IGP-Intelligence Response Team IRT in a mop up operation that lasted about 72hours, seven (7) More members of the Notorious syndicate where arrested and they all confessed to be part of the kidnap syndicate and the roles they played.
Other confirmed members arrested include, Hillary Wogu, of Etche LGA of Rivers State, Ogbungbada Chima, of Rumualogu village in Obio-Akpor LGA, Chief Aghara Emmanuel Lobito, Lucky Gospel Marako, Igbiki Sokari, Dokubo Victor Ipalibo, Okwudili Pascal, and Candy Ndubisi Nwankwo of Obokwe Community in Ngor Kpala LGA Imo state was the syndicate’s amourer.
Some of the notorious syndicate’s antecedents include the Kidnapping of Dr. Silas Nwachukwu a Surgeon and a Director of Capino Pharmacy at Rumuomasi Kidnap August 2015.
Pharmacist Mrs. Joy Enuvie Akpokobje ‘f’ 63yrs Director Tejod Pharmacy No.115 Uniport road Choba Kidnap on 8/11/2016 along NTA Uniport road.
Pharmacist Onomake Monday ‘m’ 52yrs Director of Larmack Pharmacy No.166 Uniport road Choba Kidnap on 23/2/2015 at his Pharmacy also along NTA Uniport road.
Dr. Patience Iduh ‘f’ 48yrs a Lab Scientist with N.N.P.C Port-Harcourt kidnapped on 13/1/2017 in Elelewon.
Professor Rosemund Dienye Green Osahogulu former Vice Chancellor of Ignatuis Ajuru University of Education Port-Harcourt Iwofe, She was Kidnapped while driving along Iwofe road on 18/6/2015 amongst other numerous kidnapping mention by the suspects.
Exhibits recovered from the syndicate are one AK47 rifle with bridge No. 4398 and three (3) vehicles; two (2) SUV’s and a Volkswagen golf used for their kidnapping operations. Serious Effort is still ongoing to recover more arms and ammunition.
