Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali says, the Nigeria Police Force has tackled a new trend of kidnappings in the Taraba Community and assured sustainable efforts at improving public safety in Nigerian communities.
This was contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters Abuja, CP Frank Mba.
It says, the Operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team, working with the Taraba State Police Command, have arrested a total of eleven (11) notorious kidnapping suspects for complicity and various criminal roles in the recent trend of kidnapping incidents in the State.
These include, the kidnapping of a serving personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service, a relative of the Emir of Jalingo and the killing of a Police Sergeant, in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, North-East Nigeria.
The statement also revealed that the Police team equally recovered (7) AK 47 rifles, (2) Beretta pistols, (121) rounds of live ammunition of different calibre, (4) magazines, masks, illicit drugs and other incriminating items during raiding of various hideouts of the suspects in the State.
According to the statement, the arrest of the suspects followed the deployment of Operatives of the Intelligence Response Team by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba to Taraba State to complement efforts of the State Police Command in promptly containing the disturbing trend of kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes.
It identifies the suspects as Luka Adam, Shuaibu Nuhu, Moses Amos, Peters Mashi, Ahmadu Mallam, Adamu Mohammed, Dahiru Mallam Dalha, Gambo Isah, Sanusi Ahmadu, Mallam Mohammed Mauludu, Ibrahim Idi, all indigenes of Taraba State, that are arrested by the Police team from various hideouts.
Police investigations revealed that the suspects, who have also been on the wanted list of the Taraba Police Command, are members of a notorious kidnap syndicate, linked to the recent upsurge in incidents of kidnapping in the State, including the deliberate and calculated attacks on security personnel.
It also revealed how (2) of the suspects, Gambo Isah and Sanusi Ahmadu masterminded the killing of a Police Sergeant and left a Police Inspector with gunshot injuries in their recent operation to enable them escape arrest having abducted some victims in Jalingo recently.
“They also collect huge sums of money as ransom from relatives and friends of the victims before their release.
“Meanwhile, investigators are intensifying efforts at arresting other suspects currently at large.
“The IGP, while commending the good people of Taraba State for supporting the Police in providing useful information that aided the prompt apprehension of the suspects, assured that the Police will continue to work with l stakeholders in deepening the collective safety of the Taraba people.
“He condoled the family of the late Sergeant Ogidi Habu and added that the Force will sustain efforts at improving public safety in all Nigerian communities. All the suspects will be charged to court on completion of investigations.” The statement concluded.
Sani Suleiman/Jalingo