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John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Nigerian Police have said that the proactive measures adopted on the Abuja- Kaduna highway has paid off with the arrest of 280 suspects on the highway and other parts of Kaduna state.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this yesterday at a press conference highlighting the achievements of the police in Kaduna in the past four months.

He said those arrested include  81-armed robbery suspects, 40 kidnap suspects, 73 murder/homicide suspects, 36 rape suspects, and 22 suspects involved in cult-related crimes and 28 suspects engaged in other criminal activities.

According to him, 158 kidnapped victims were also rescued while the total sum of N3, 350, 000,  paid as ransom to kidnappers was recovered.

Adejobi said further that 16 firearms of various types, along with 226 ammunition of diverse calibres were also recovered from the suspects.

He said: “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.”

Enumerating some of the successes, the police spokesperson said: “On January 12, 2024, police operatives attached to anti-kidnapping unit of Kaduna State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), 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 terrorising 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, Kaduna and he partook in almost all the kidnappings on the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

He said: “On February 29, 2024, vigilant operatives of the Kaduna Command Monitoring Unit conducted a well-coordinated operation at the residence of a suspected kidnapper, Adamu Abdulwahab, in Ganga Uku Village, Mararaban Jos, which resulted in the apprehension of the suspect and recovery of crucial exhibits, including 1 fabricated cartridge revolver rifle, 1 fabricated pistol, two Dane guns, six live cartridges, one discharged GPRG ammunition, seven discharged cartridges, two SIM cards, two TECNO handsets, and one bloodstained cutlass.

“It was revealed during investigation that 35-year-old Adamu Abdulwahab, in connivance with other suspects who are currently at large, had kidnapped one Samaila Abdullahi, 40, of Keke Kingdom, Mararaban Jos, on February 13, 2024, and forcefully taken him to an unknown destination.

“On April 7, 2024, police operatives attached to the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS), Abuja in collaboration with Operation Yaki operatives in Kaduna Command, arrested one Abubakar Umar, 20, of Bagega Village via Anka LGA of Zamfara State in possession of four hundred and 60 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed in a stabilizer box at Zaria City Kaduna, with a mission to deliver it to one Doctor Dan Sadi of Bagega for onward transfer to a notorious bandit known as Ladan, who is expected to receive the ammunition. The suspects are being rounded up, and will be prosecuted accordingly.

On February 12, 2024, suspected bandit/gun runner, Adamu Shuaibu, aged 35, from Dumale Village under Jere LGA of Kaduna State, was arrested following reliable information available to the police on his involvement in criminal activities within the state, including the supply of arms and ammunition to other criminal suspects.

One (1) AK-47 rifle with breach no. 1970/TY 1938 and an empty magazine was recovered from his custody.

“On September 2023 at about 2030hrs, the Officer in Charge of Fadan Kamanta, Zonkwa, alerted authorities of a distressing situation at St. Raphael Catholic Church, Kamantan, where suspected kidnappers had launched an attack. Due to the urgency of the situation, police operatives, in collaboration with military personnel, swiftly mobilized to the scene.

“Regrettably, the suspects had already set ablaze the priest’s residence before the arrival of the authorities. Despite the valiant efforts of operatives, one seminarian, Stephen Naaman, tragically lost his life in the inferno and property worth millions of naira, including a Honda vehicle and a motorcycle, were consumed by the fire.

“However, due to diligence and tireless pursuit of the issue by the police, on March 22, 2024, one Yakubu Saidu, the mastermind and leader of the notorious kidnapping gang, was apprehended and he confessed to his involvement in the heinous crime.”