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From Paul Orude Bauchi and Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
The Bauchi State Police Command has killed two suspected kidnappers in an exchange of gunfire, and arrested eight suspects believed to have been terrorising residents in parts of the state.
Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Sanda, made the disclosure yesterday at a press briefing, saying the successes over suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminals were recorded in various operations launched by the command this year.
Sanda disclosed that in one of the operations, suspected kidnappers were arrested on August 23, 2022 by a team of detectives attached to the command. He said the suspects were involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and cattle rustling.
The CP said the suspected kidnappers terrorised residents of Alkaleri, Dass, Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro and Toro Local Government Areas of the state and some parts of Plateau State.
“Our operatives arrested the six suspects at Sabon-Gida village Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area and Guram Wase LGA Plateau states,” he said.
The CP gave the names of the suspects – all male – as Adamu Aliyu, 35, alias Do something, a member of a vigilance group; Adamu Abdullahi, 35, of Guram village, Plateau State, a member of a vigilance group; Longnan Bali, 60, alias Guguwa, of Guram village, Plateau State, a member of a vigilance group; Hassan Muhammed, 32; Yakubu Muhammadu, 25, and Umar Abdullahi, 34 years.
“The above-mentioned suspects, alleged to have criminally conspired with others while armed with AK-47 rifles, pistols and other dangerous weapons, carried-out series of kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and cattle rustling along Alkaleri, Dass, Tafawa Balewa, Bagoro, and Toro LGAs Bauchi State,” the Commissioner of Police disclosed. They extended their criminal activities to neighbouring towns, which include Wase, Dengi Kanam, Langtang North, Kanke and Mangu LGA, Plateau State, respectively.
“The following exhibits were recovered from the suspects; One AK-47 rifle with 30 rounds of live ammunition, two Beretta pistols and 58 rounds of live ammunition. Similarly, on 7/09/2022, at about 1600hrs, a patrol team attached to Maina-Maji Divisional Police Headquarters, in collaboration with a vigilance group, acted on credible intelligence and raided a suspected kidnappers’ den.
In a related incident, the CP said the police also recorded victory over kidnappers as September 16, 2022, arrested one Abubakar Isah, 20, of Tashan Daudu Soro via Ganjuwa LGA at the Gobirawa axis for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and being in possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition.
“The following exhibits were recovered in his possession; N8.466,000.00 cash, one SMG rifle with 92 live ammunition, one empty magazine SMG OFN rifle, one 7.62mm caliber of live ammunitions, eight different model of phones, one MP3, one Honda motorcycle, one cutlass.”
The CP revealed that arms recovered include one fabricated AK-47 rifle with empty magazine, two dane-guns, one pump action JOJEFF Magnum, one single barrel gun and one revolver (fabricated).”
The police boss said the command will rest on its oars in the areas of crime bursting towards ensuring adequate peace and security in the state.
Also, the Benue State Police Command has killed one suspected armed robber and arrested seven others for various crimes ranging from kidnap and assassination attempt, armed robbery and banditry.
The state Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, said the suspects were arrested in separate operations by men of Operation Zenda Special tactical team with five arms, including a fabricated AK-47 rifle and pistols, nine ammunition, 19 cartridges and 13 phones, among others.
Parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Makurdi, yesterday, the commissioner who spoke through the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Catherine Anene, said the suspects included two brothers; Kashima Anja, a.k.a Takari and Terlumun Anja, a.k.a Aromi, who allegedly planned to kidnap and assassinate the chairman of Katsina Ala Local Government Area of the state, Alfred Atera.
The police said the suspects confessed to the crime, but while speaking to journalists, the two Anjas said they were not killers.
Kashima Anja, who said he had requested N300,000 as payment for the job, said, “We have never killed anyone before. I was not going to do the job. I only agreed so that I will deceive the woman, collect the money and eat it. I only wanted to buy a machine and use it to continue my fishing job.”
Meanwhile, the police also arrested two suspects; Fabian Naymhena and Awuasaa Kelvin, who had been blocking and robbing motorists along Taraku/Otukpo road, and recovered one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle loaded with four rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one fabricated pistol and five cartridges.
The other suspects, Chiata Ihom and Shimangi Nyeriyo a.k.a Ratata, led by one “Full Fire”, was also arrested for planning to assassinate one Lubem Akomboin from Ukum local government area of the state.
One Ornya Michael was also arrested along Ikpayongo-Makurdi road, with assorted GSM phones numbering 13, nine chargers all concealed in a black nylon bag.
Anene, who stated that investigations were still ongoing, said while desperate criminally minded people have begun their escapades, following the embers months, the command under the leadership of CP Wale Abass is equal to the task of bringing them to book.
