Notorious gang of kidnappers arrested in Taraba as Police recover arms and ammunition

Monday, April 28, 2025 - Operatives of the FID STS Force headquarters Abuja attached to Taraba Police Command have arrested nine notorious kidnappers and recovered arms and ammunition. 

Spokesperson of the command, ASP James Lashen Saminu, who disclosed this in a statement at the weekend said the suspects are part of the notorious gang of kidnappers terrorizing Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna. 

The arrest, made on Saturday, April 26, 2025, was a joint operation in collaboration with local hunters and vigilantes.

“In commitment to rid Taraba State from the menace of Kidnapping, the Command has succeeded in arresting Nine (9) suspects of kidnapping and recovered four (4) AK 47 , three (3) AK 49 rifles with Forty-five rounds of live ammunitions,” the statement read. 

"On 25/04/2025, acting on credible information, operatives of FID STS Force headquarters Abuja attached to Taraba state Police Command in collaboration with hunters and vigilante group, successfully arrested one Shehu Ibrahim ‘m’ 27yrs of Larai Gada, Ilorin, Abdullahi Haruna ‘m’ 28yrs of Angwan Karofi, Bauchi state and Yusuf Bello ‘m’ of Birama village under Donga LGA, Taraba state.

"On interrogation, suspects confessed embarking on multiple kidnapping incidents.

"The following exhibits were recovered: One (1) AK 47 rifle, Two (2) AK 49 rifles, ⁠Six (6) AK magazines and Forty-five rounds of live ammunition.

"Worthy of note is that, prior intel on the group of notorious gang had led to the arrest of the following members, one Sulaiman Mohammed ’m’ 28yrs of Lariski,Gombe state, Tijjani Bello ‘m’ 30yrs of Nasarawo Jalingo, Taraba state, Muhammed Umar ‘m’ 25yrs of Sabo Gari Jalingo, Taraba State, Adamu Ibrahim ‘m’ 22yrs of Mutum Daya Karim Lamido , Taraba State ,Solomon Nathaniel ‘m’ 32yrs of Logo Benue State, Haruna Adamu ‘m’ 25yrs of Lushi village Lau, Taraba state.

"Exhibits recovered from them are three (3) AK 47 rifles, one (1) AK 49 rifle, four (4) AK 37 magazines.

"The suspects have equally confessed to various heinous crimes. They are also part of the notorious gang of kidnappers terrorizing Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna.

"Meanwhile, investigation is ongoing as frantic efforts are being made to arrest the remaining members of the syndicate.

“The Commissioner of Police, Taraba state Command, CP Emmanuel S. Bretet psc (+), has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to rooting out criminal gangs and ensuring the safety and security of lives and property of citizens in the State.”