Three suspected kidnappers, arrested by the police, have told investigators that they killed the Human Resources Manager of Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Istifanus Bello Gurama because of the company’s failure to pay a N100 million ransom.
Three men, Abubakar Gide (24), Abdullahi Salihu (22) and Babuga Adamu (25), were arrested by detectives attached to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
Nine gunmen abducted and killed Gurama when he went to negotiate for the release of four expatriates and a Nigerian, employees of Dangote Group. Those arrested explained that a single bullet to Gurama’s head sent him to the grave.
The suspects said they were expecting N100 million ransom but Gurama came with just N5.6 million. The nine men, who carried out the kidnap of the five workers, demanded N100 million and had already divided the money in their heads, with each netting over N11 million before Gurama’s arrival.
But instead of N100 million, the deceased came with N5.6 million. Salihu was said to have angrily shot Gurama in the head. They dragged his body from the point he was killed and dumped it in a river.
The police fished out Gurama’s decomposing body from the river. Investigators have also discovered that Gide was the one who brought the deal on the abduction of the five Dangote workers.
Gide, who resides around the community where Dangote Company is sited, noticed an increased in the number of Indians he was seeing and quickly thought of how he could enrich himself by kidnapping them. After brainstorming on the issue, he went to Kogi State and hired men, to enable him to execute the kidnap plan.
The kidnap was a success. Gurama was also described as the person who used to negotiate with kidnappers on release of kidnapped staff of the company. According to a police source, the suspects were tracked and arrested.
The police recovered three AK47 rifles from the suspects. The police source said: “It all started after four expatriates and one Nigerian working for Dangote Group in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, were abducted on November 9.”
When Gurama was alerted about the kidnap of his colleagues and asked to go and negotiate their release, he had thought it was like other negotiations; fluid, simple and successful. The negotiation turned out to be his last.
On November 13, Gurama went to pay ransom for the five workers to be released. When the kidnappers discovered that the money was not N100 million as they demanded, they held Gurama.
When the IG got the information, he quickly deployed his IRT operatives to Ogun State. The team was led by a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Abba Kyari. It was gathered that the operatives went undercover and embarked on a massive manhunt. The three suspects were eventually arrested.
The suspects were arrested between November 27 and December 3 in Ijebu-Igbo, Epe forest, Lagos State and Ajase-Ipo forest in Kwara State. The source said: “The suspects have confessed to the kidnapping and release of the five Dangote staff after collecting of N5.6 million.
At the same time, they confessed to the kidnapping and murder of Gurama of Dangote Group who brought the N5.6 million to them. According to their confessions, they were annoyed with Gurama for bringing N5.6 million to them, when they were expecting a minimum of N100 million from the company.”
On December 3, the suspects led operatives of IRT and policemen from Ogun State Police Command to the forest in Ijebu- Igbo, Ogun State, where three AK47 rifles, with six magazines and 160 rounds of ammunition used for their operations were recovered.
The suspects also led police operatives to Apoje River, where the decomposing body of Gurama was found, floating with a bullet hole in his skull. Most of his body parts had been devoured by fish.
The police moved the body to Sagamu General Hospital mortuary for autopsy. Police said they were still on the trail of the remaining six members of the gang. Another police source said four of the suspected kidnappers used their share of the N5.6 million to buy cows. “Police know the person keeping the cows and they are already tracking the person and the cows.
They are also trying to recover the remaining ransom,” said the source. A top police officer said it was a wrong move to have used Gurama as a negotiator in releasing his colleagues.
The source said that the kidnappers saw Gurama as a symbol of Dangote and wealth. To them, Dangote Company should be able to afford N100 million.
Friends of Gurama have taken to Facebook, mourning his sudden death. One of his friends, Okeke Ogechukwu, said: “So it’s true? Gurama is really gone? Murdered! I still can’t believe it.” Shatu Gani has this to say:
“Tribute to a friend I have known for some time now. He was a wonderful person. Not up to two months ago, he celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary and today he is lifeless.
What a wicked world? Rest on my friend and may God console madam and the boys.” Babs Oluwabukola Aisha said: “Your sudden murder by kidnappers hurt my heart so deep.
My great counsellor, each moment I scroll through our chat, I imagine someone could just wake me from my sleep; that it’s all dream. You are so amazing to be forgotten so soon.”
Shady Ashafa cursed Gurama’s killer. She said: “I’m in a rude shock! A few weeks ago, we celebrated your 20th wedding anniversary! Whoever kidnapped and cut your life short, will surely die too! And there shall be no peace for the wicked!”
No comments