The Nigeria Police on Thursday, May 2, 2024, stated that it has arrested the alleged mastermind of the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna where some passengers were killed and scores were abducted on March 28, 2022. The police said that the alleged criminals were arrested for the attack on the train, kidnapping, culpable homicide, and terrorism.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who paraded three members of the gang said that the mastermind was identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, otherwise known by the ominous moniker of Mandi.
Adejobi who also claimed that the suspect had also participated in the abduction of students from Greenfield University in 2021, added that 48 AK-47 rifles were seized during Mandi’s arrest and efforts were underway to identify his sponsor and supplier of weapons.
He said, “On 12th January 2024, police operatives attached to an anti-kidnapping unit of Kaduna State Criminal Investigation Department, based on credible information swooped in and arrested one Ibrahim Abdullahi aka MANDE at Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover by Rido Junction.
“The suspect confessed to being the leader of a kidnap syndicate terrorizing the Kaduna-Abuja highway, ranked among other criminals like Dogo Gide and Bello Turji.
“He had participated in various kidnapping incidents including the kidnapping incident at Green Field University and he partook in almost all the kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.”
Furthermore, the police spokesman also said that no fewer than 81-armed robbers, 40 kidnapers, 73 murder/homicide suspects, 36 rape suspects, 22 suspects involved in cult-related crimes, and 28 suspects engaged in other criminal activities between January to date with particular focus on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway have been arrested.
In addition, Adejobi added that operatives have successfully recovered 16 firearms of various types along with 226 ammunition of diverse calibres.
“Additionally, our operations have led to the retrieval of 28 stolen vehicles, over 200 harmful weapons, and 600 bags of fertilizers.
“A total of three million, three hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N3,350,000) only, previously paid as ransom to kidnappers, has been successfully recovered, while our swift and coordinated efforts have resulted in the safe rescue of 158 kidnapped victims, all of whom have been reunited with their families unharmed. These achievements include.”
