12 suspected kidnappers, 3 gun runners arrested in police swoop, Egbetokun promises intensified effort to get rid of crime
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Some 12 suspected kidnappers and three gun runners have been arrested by the police in coordinated operations across multiple state lines which also led to the recovery of multiple firearms and ammunition.
A statement issued on Tuesday by Force Headquarters spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the arrests were made following credible intelligence and joint efforts involving local vigilantes, hunters, and various police commands.
The statement also recounted some anti-crime activities on the following dates:
April 25
Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) personnel, in collaboration with Taraba Police Command, arrested four suspected kidnappers – Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako – in Mararaban Abbare, Lau Council of the state, while they were allegedly planning a kidnap operation.
Items recovered from the suspects were two AK-49 rifles, one AK-47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
“Prior to this arrest, the operatives had earlier received intelligence on a group of kidnapping gang terrorising Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States. A successful raid conducted at the hideout of this gang led to the arrest of five suspected kidnappers,” the statement said.
“These suspects, identified as Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim, Solomon Nathaniel, Haruna Adamu were also found in possession of 3 AK-47 rifles, 1 AK-49 rifle, and 4 AK-47 magazines.”
April 17
Police in Kaduna arrested Isa Ibrahim, a suspected kidnapper who reportedly confessed to attempting to form a new gang after his previous accomplices were arrested in Kwara.
Police personnel, on the same day, mobilised to Lamido village in Lere Council of Kaduna and apprehended two more suspected kidnappers, Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji, who also confessed to involvement in kidnapping activities in the area.
April 18
“Police operatives [in Kaduna], acting on received information about the activities of suspected gun runners, arrested 2 suspects identified as Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi, who were found in possession of two fabricated AK-47 rifles and later arrested one Ishiyaku Ali, along the Kauru-Pambegua Road of the state in possession of two locally-fabricated rifles and a long chain concealed in a sack.
“All the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”
The statement quoted Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun as assuring the public of the unwavering commitment of the police to safeguarding lives and property.
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