Operatives of the Police at Force headquarters have arrested 153 kidnappers and rescued 35 kidnapped victims across the country in the last two weeks.
Nigeriacrime.com learned that the Police also arrested 92 armed robbers, recovered 7 stolen vehicles, arrested 9 suspected cultists, and recovered 44 arms and 477 ammunition of various calibres.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi made this known, during a parade of 34 arrested suspects, 7 Ak-47 rifles, 9 automatic pistols, 1804 rounds of live ammunition, a POS Machine, assorted illicit drugs, and one Mazda Saloon Car.
Giving a breakdown of the arrest and offences committed, the FPRO said, “On 9th of February 2024, operatives of the FID-Intelligence Response Team received intelligence on the activities of a syndicate of Trans-border gunrunners operating in Plateau state to other parts of the country and by extension, supplying arms and ammunition to some criminal elements beyond the borders of the country.
“The IRT Operatives utilized this information and arrested the following principal suspects, Mahos Jatau Mancha aka Adis, Justin Abugieye aka Austin, Joseph Zingkur Ayuba aka Zed Davou Chuwang and Yakubu Benedict Bonat aka VIP.
“During the investigation, it came to light that the said Justin Abugieye is a Trans-border Arms and ammunition supplier based in Obudu LGA of Cross River State who usually gets supplies of AK47 rifles, ammunition, and rocket launcher from the Mahos Jatau Mancha, Joseph Zingkur Ayuba, Davou Chuwang, Yakubu Benedict Bonat, all in Plateau state and turn supplies same to some rebels and other criminal elements in a neighbouring country.
‘One of the suspects, Yakubu Benedict Bonat confessed to have sold 4 Ak-47 rifles to Justin Abugieye, the first which he said belonged to his late father who was a police officer, and he had sold it to Justin instead of handing it over to legal authorities while the others, he had locally fabricated and had sold to Justin.
“Another of the suspects, Ibrahim Maji, happens to be a middleman who was present when Justin had sold 3 Ak-47 rifles to one Shetto Dogo and had collected another Ak-47 rifle and 16 live ammunitions to personally deliver to Shetto Dogo before his apprehension. One Lucy Ogar, the female lover and accomplice of Justin who usually accompanies him to take delivery and supply of the arms and ammunition, as well as one Paulina Abugieye, his younger sister who assists him in delivering arms to buyers were also arrested.
“A factory operated by the said Joseph Zingkur Ayuba in his house at Kuru, Jos, Plateau state, where he fabricates arms was also discovered.
“Another suspect; Davou Chuwang who supplies ammunition to Joseph Zingkur was also arrested and while in custody, he was contacted by Majahid Muhammad Kyari and Buhari Musa who requested to purchase 2 Ak-47 rifles from him.
“They agreed to meet him to inspect the rifles and were immediately arrested by the operatives of the IRT at the agreed meet point. Interrogation revealed that Majahid had earlier been in business with Davou Chuwang and had in the past, purchased 50 rounds of 9mm live ammunition from him and trusted him to deliver this time around also.
“On the 12th of February, 2024, operatives of the FID-IRT received intelligence of a group of persons suspected to be involved in arms dealing and kidnapping at Sutai, Bali LGA of Taraba State.
“The operatives buckled down and arrested 2 persons identified as Modo Haruna ‘m’ 28 yrs and Buba Ruwa ‘m’ 30 yrs, both at Taraba State. Subsequent interrogation and investigation revealed that Buba Ruwa had been in possession of 12 Ak-47 rifles about 2 years ago, but was intercepted by police operatives while returning from an operation and had fled and managed to escape with just 2 Ak-47 rifles.
“The other suspect, Modo Haruna, confessed to being in possession of a single Ak-47 rifle and also belonging to a syndicate that specializes in gun running and cattle rustling. Efforts are being intensified to arrest other members of this syndicate and terminate the entire network.
Continuing ACP Adejobi said, “Following the incident of the kidnapping of the children and staff of Apostolic Faith School Emure Ekiti State and their subsequent release, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force has recently arrested one Shehu Daru who has been identified as one of the kidnappers involved in the ungodly act.
“The suspect, Shehu Tailo 27yrs was arrested in Gbugbu area, Edu LGA, Kwara state and he was identified by one of the victims of the kidnapping to be one of the kidnappers.
“He confessed to being in a four-man kidnapping gang responsible for the kidnap of the children and staff of Apostolic Faith School, Emure Ekiti and that they had intercepted the vehicle conveying the victims along the road and upon interception, they killed the driver and burnt his body while the victims were taken to their camp.
“The suspect also confessed to have gone into kidnapping because of idleness and has been involved for over two years and had taken part in two other kidnappings at Taraba State and Adamawa State where he received a share of one million naira and two hundred thousand naira respectively.
“He claims he did not receive anything for the kidnapping carried out in Ekiti State.