A coordinated security operation by the Nigeria Police Force has led to the arrest of 15 suspected kidnappers and gunrunners across Taraba and Kaduna States, in what authorities describe as a major breakthrough in the fight against organized crime in the country.
According to the Force PublicRelations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on April 25, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad (STS), in collaboration with officers from the Taraba State Police Command, local hunters, and vigilante groups, apprehended four suspected kidnappers in Mararaban Abbare, Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The suspects — Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako. They were arrested while allegedly planning an attack.
Weapons recovered from the scene included two AK-49 rifles, one AK-47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
The operation followed intelligence reports linking the gang to a wider network of kidnappers terrorizing Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States.
A separate raid on the gang’s hideout led to the arrest of five additional suspects. The suspects are Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim, Solomon Nathaniel, and Haruna Adamu.
Police recovered three AK-47 rifles, one AK-49 rifle, and four magazines during the raid.
In a similar operation in Kaduna State, police operatives acting on intelligence arrested Isa Ibrahim on April 17.
Ibrahim reportedly confessed to relocating to Kaduna to set up a new gang after his former associates were apprehended in Kwara State.
That same day, officers from the Kaduna State Command mobilised to Lamido Village in Lere LGA, where two more suspected kidnappers: Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji were arrested. Both confessed to their involvement in kidnapping operations within the area.
Further action on April 18 led to the arrest of two suspected arms dealers: Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi, who were found in possession of two fabricated AK-47 rifles.
A follow-up operation on the Kauru-Pambegua Road resulted in the arrest of another suspect, Ishiyaku Ali, caught with two locally-made rifles and a long chain hidden in a sack.
The police authorities confirmed that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
