By Kingsley Omonobi

The Police at Force headquarters on Tuesday disclosed that following the onslaught against criminal elements, particularly kidnappers, gun runners, cultists and armed robbers, operatives of its Tactical Squads, IRT, STS and the Special Intervention Squad, SIS have arrested 72 suspects, 34 out of which are kidnap suspects and rescued 22 kidnapped victims in the last two weeks.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, accommpanied by the Commanders of the Intelligence Response Team, DCP Sani and Commander of the Special Tactical Squad, DCP who made this known while parading some of the suspects disclosed that several other recoveries were made including arms and ammunition.

The Police also disclosed that an arms, ammunition and military accourtrement/logistics supplier (suspect) to bandits in Zamfara state, working in partnership with a airforce personnel was arrested while taking military uniforms to bandits in Zamfara state.

Detailing some of the arrest of kidnappers, ACP Adejobi said, “On February 2nd 2024 at about 9.30pm, acting on actionable intelligence, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the FCT command in a coordinated operation arrested six (6) suspected kidnappers namely Buhari Muhammad 20 yrs, the gang leader who has been on the wanted list of the command; Muhammad Sabiu 20yrs, Isah Abdullahi, Hamzat Musa, Fatima Abdullahi 22yrs and Zuliat Yusuf 23yrs.

“All the suspects were apprehended in a hotel at Bassa Village along airport road.

“During interrogation, suspects confessed to having been responsible for the abduction of one Joshua Eze on 27/01/2024 around Sabon Lugbe, the husband of one Blessing Eze who suffered a bullet injury in the process of her husband’s abduction.

“Efforts of the operatives led to the successful rescue of the said Joshua Eze on 28/01/2024.

“One AK-47 rifle, 3 cutlasses, 10 mobile phones, cash sum of #345,000 and other valuables were recovered from the suspects and they confessed to their involvement in the crime and many other kidnapping activities in the FCT. Further investigation is still being carried out.

“On 31/01/2024 at about 9.30pm, the DPO of Sabon Tasha Division, Kaduna State command received information from his men that while they were on joint patrol of the Kaduna/Kachia highway with other sister agencies, they received a distress call that a house at Mamara Damishi village belonging to one Simon Zango.

“A patrol was immediately extended to the scene where an unspecified number of suspected armed bandits were encountered and in the process of a fierce gun duel, the bandits succumbed to the superior firepower of the security operatives and retreated.

“The members of the victim’s family were rescued alongside their neighbour with his wife and two children totalling seven rescued victims.

“Efforts are being intensified to locate the bandits and rescue the last hostage in their captivity.

“In Kano, the Kano State command Anti-kidnapping squad responded to a complaint regarding the earlier kidnap of one Abdul ‘Aziz Ahmad who is the Councillor of Kyarana ward in Kiru LGA, Kano State on 01/01/2024 at about 0200hrs.

“Unrelenting efforts led to the arrest of one Rayyanu Halilu 35yrs of Kwanar Dangora town on 29/01/2024 at about 1.30am by the operatives. The suspect confessed that he conspired with the following suspects who are currently at large: Buhari Isah Nura, Sani Nazifi, Gambo Ibrahim, all of Kwanar Dangora, Kiru LGA and one Kabiru of Jigawa state to kidnapped the victim.

“The suspect further confessed his involvement in the recent kidnapping of one Alhaji Dalha Tarau of Kiru LGA of which he received the sum of #250,000 and #300,000 ransom respectively as his share. Efforts are currently being intensified to arrest the suspects at large.

Regarding the supply of military uniforms to bandits, the FPRO said, “On 20/12/2023 at about 12 30pm the operatives of the FID-STS intercepted the movement of military accoutrements from Kaduna to Zamfara state precisely Shinkafi LGA.

“In the process, a spot search was conducted and the following items were recovered; 10 sets of military camouflage uniforms, 10 pieces of camel pack, 12 military hats, 3 cardigans, 3 t-shirts, 2 belts, and 3 anklets. The two suspects were arrested.

“The Mushiri Abubakar is a childhood friend of one Airforce personnel attached to the Airforce base in Kaduna state who served for only five years before being court marshalled and introduced the idea of selling military accoutrements to Mushiri Abubakar.

“Further investigation revealed that same Mushiri Abubakar had supplied military materials to the Notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji.

A breakdown of: recovered items, weapons and ammunition include10 military camouflage uniforms, 10 camel bags, 12 military hats, 6 military cardigans, 3 anklets, 2 military belts, 13 AK-47 rifles, 6 AK-49 rifles, 2 SMG rifles, 1 LAR rifle, 1 locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, 1 Revolver Pistol, 290 rounds of AK-47 live ammunitions, 4 AK-47 Magazines, 2 SMG Magazines, 1 LAR Magazine, cash sum of N2.2 million Naira, a bag containing several illicit drugs, 2 Pump action rifles, 1 Dane gun, 2 volkswagen Golf cars, 1 gun-like wood carving.

Continuing Adejobi said, ” On January 27 2024, Operatives of the IRT apprehended Bello Umar, a 28-year-old Fulani man from Tsafe LGA, Zamfara State, suspected of being a kidnapper along with approximately ten other gang members.

“He confessed to involvement in numerous kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna State expressway, with his base located in the Rigina Forest in Kaduna State.

“Bello Umar admitted to receiving ransom amounts ranging from ₦100 million to ₦40 million.

“Upon his arrest, ₦2.2 million, his share from a recent ransom collection, was recovered. Investigations are ongoing, and efforts are underway to arrest other fleeing gang members and recover any remaining arms.

On cultism, arrests and recovery of arms in Edo state, he said, “Following an ongoing investigation into the daily killings and unrest caused by rival secret cults in Edo State, operatives from FID-IRT arrested Edosa Obasuyi, Abumere Endurance, Monday Otubu, and Esther Abumere in the Ekpoma area of Edo State.

“The suspects confessed to being members of the Eiye Confraternity and admitted to their involvement in the killings and cult activities in the mentioned area.

“A search of their residences led to the recovery of two pump-action guns, numerous voter cards belonging to different individuals, 19 live cartridges, 4 expended cartridges, one wooden carved gun, illicit drugs, charms, and their cell phones.

“During interrogation, they affirmed that the killings in the state were carried out by the Eiye confraternity as a result of rivalry between Eiyes and Maphites. Efforts are underway to apprehend more fleeing members of the group and bring the area under control. The investigation is ongoing.

Also, “Following a series of kidnappings in the Abuja and Kaduna areas, operatives from the IRT conducted a follow-up investigation and apprehended Usman Inusa, also known as Shaga, a 40-year-old resident of Obajana.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to his involvement, along with his still-at-large gang members, in terrorizing members of the public through robberies and kidnappings for ransom.

“Usman admitted to participating in numerous kidnapping incidents targeting individuals within the Abuja and Kaduna state axis. His confession shed light on the modus operandi of the gang and their extensive criminal activities, highlighting the significant threat they posed to the safety and security of the region.

“Additionally, upon his arrest, our operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle, further implicating Usman in serious criminal offenses.

“Efforts are underway to locate and apprehend the remaining members of his gang, and the investigation into their activities continues to uncover further evidence and ensure justice for their victims.”

“On February 2nd 2024, operatives from FID-IRT conducting an investigation in Nasarawa State apprehended 3 individuals: Habu Jafaru (also known as Dan Guy), Saidu Haruna Jafaru, and Abdullahi Lele, all residents of Tudun Adabo in Obi LGA, Nasarawa State.

“The arrests were made in connection with their alleged involvement in kidnapping and armed robbery activities within Obi Local Government, Nasarawa State.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their roles in the crimes and implicated their elder brother, Alhaji Jafaru, as the individual who supplied them with an AK-47 rifle to carry out their illicit activities. Alhaji Jafaru, who is currently at large, is in possession of the said AK-47 rifle.

“Law enforcement authorities have intensified efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects through technical analysis methods.

“This case underscores the serious threat posed by organized criminal networks operating in the region and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to dismantle them and ensure the safety and security of the public.

“On 15th January 2024, operatives of the FID-STS in a manhunt for several notorious kidnappers arrested 4 suspects at Kawo Junction, Kaduna and found in their possession 50 pieces of live ammunition.

“The suspects confessed to specializing in the supply of ammunition to various camps of kidnappers and bandits and that they were on their way to show samples of their supply to a potential client before being intercepted.

Furthermore, “operatives of the FID-STS acting on credible intelligence, went after a notorious gang specialized in attacking motorcyclists and dispossessing them of their motorcycles.

“The operation led to the arrest of one Anas Murtala of Markarfi LGA Kaduna State.

“Upon arrest and consequent interrogation, the suspect confessed to being part of this notorious gang and also confessed to having received over 19 different motorcycles which he had sold. The suspect is cooperative and investigation is still ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate.”