Police Arrest 15 Kidnappers, Gun-Runners, Recover Arms in Taraba, Kaduna
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded another significant milestone in its nationwide crackdown on violent crimes with the arrest of 15 suspected kidnappers and gun-runners across Taraba and Kaduna States.
According to a press statement issued on April 29, 2025, by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operations were coordinated by the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) in synergy with Taraba and Kaduna State Police Commands, local hunters, and vigilante groups. The raids were based on actionable intelligence that led to the arrests and the recovery of arms and ammunition.
On April 25, operatives in Taraba State arrested four suspected kidnappers in Mararaban Abbare, Lau Local Government Area, identified as Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako. They were caught while planning a kidnap operation and were found with two AK-49 rifles, one AK-47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
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A follow-up raid at a hideout targeting the same syndicate, which had been terrorizing Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States, resulted in the arrest of six additional suspects. They were identified as Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim, Solomon Nathaniel, and Haruna Adamu. The police recovered three AK-47 rifles, one AK-49 rifle, and four magazines from them.
Similarly, in Kaduna State, on April 17, the police arrested one Isa Ibrahim, who confessed to plotting the formation of a new kidnapping gang after the arrest of his associates in Kwara State. On the same day, two suspected kidnappers, Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji, were arrested in Lamido village, Lere LGA, and also confessed to their involvement in kidnapping activities.
Furthermore, the statement revealed that on April 18, Kaduna police operatives arrested suspected gun runners Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi, found in possession of two fabricated AK-47 rifles. Another suspect, Ishiyaku Ali, was arrested along the Kauru-Pambegua Road with two locally-fabricated rifles and a long chain hidden in a sack.
All suspects, according to the police, will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Commending the operatives for their dedication, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Force’s unwavering commitment to public safety and urged citizens to support law enforcement efforts by providing credible and timely information.
By PRNigeria
