By Our Correspondent

Soldiers attached to 19 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, have arrested five suspected kidnappers  over the abduction of a popular wood merchant identified as Johnbull Iboyikporo.

The suspects, Henry Osibo, Samson Ojiwo, Kingsley Okpako, Efe Odjigba Ogbeyen aka Ogbes and his girlfriend, Miss Mercy Iwari were arrested at diffrent times and locations over the incident.

A security source disclosed that the victim was seized by three unknown gunmen and taken into the bush around Oruakpa pipeline on motor bike but the military reacted promptly following a tip off.

According to the source,soldiers, in partnership with local vigilante, combed Gana area and discovered the hideout of the suspects where the victim was tied, gaged and legs chained.

A senior military officer said that; “following a tip off on the 31 of January, the military troops raided a suspected bush behind shell road, Sapele for a rescued operation and found the victim, Mr Johnbull Iboyikporo legs, hands, mouth and eyes tied by the kidnappers and was rescued unhurt by the soldiers”.

He said Henry Osibo, Samson Ojiwo and Kingsley Okpako were arrested on the spot with two cut to size locally made guns and a 70mm cartridge.

The source said a follow up led to the alleged syndicate leader, Efe Odjigba Ogbeyen aka Ogbes and his girlfriend, Miss Mercy Iwari at a popular hotel in the area.

Meanwhile, officers of the 19 Battalion of the Nigerian army have declared a manhunt to apprehend one of the suspects simply given as Mr Owhor whose photograph was allegedly recovered during the operation and described as a most notorious criminal and leader of a kidnapping gang in Sapele and its environs.

Efforts to confirm the incident from the Commander, 19 Battalion were  not successful as he failed to pick  calls put across to him but an officer confirmed the arrests.