Saturday, December 6, 2025 - The Gombe State Police Command has busted an inter-state syndicate involved in kidnapping, armed robbery and cattle rustling.
Operatives of the command, in collaboration with
professional hunters, stormed criminal hideouts and engaged the syndicate in a
gun duel, neutralized two and arrested seven suspects.
The spokesperson of the command, DSP Buhari Abdullahi,
disclosed this in a statement on Friday, December 5, 2025 while providing an
update on the ongoing intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling
kidnapping syndicates and criminal networks operating across Gombe State.
According to the PPRO, one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)
and eight rounds of live ammunition were recovered during the coordinated
operation.
The police spokesman further disclosed that the suspects
confessed to have received an estimated N150,000,000 ransom from their
victims.
“On 23rd November 2025, at about 0400hrs, credible
intelligence was received from a Good Samaritan implicating one Abdullahi
Ibrahim, male, 40 years, of Tilde Village, Funakaye LGA, in harbouring
criminals suspected to be involved in kidnapping and cattle rustling. The
suspect was promptly arrested, and preliminary investigation commenced,” the
statement read.
"Following continued interrogation, on 28th November
2025 at about 1920hrs, the suspect confessed to involvement in cattle rustling
and multiple kidnapping operations within Gombe State.
"He also revealed the identities of several accomplices
believed to be part of a wider kidnapping syndicate operating across Gombe,
Bauchi, Yobe, and Adamawa States.
“Acting on intelligence gathered during the investigation,
Police operatives attached to Operation Hattara, in collaboration with the
Gombe State Professional Hunters Association, stormed identified criminal
hideouts, engaging the suspects in a gun duel and successfully arresting six
(6) additional members of the gang.”
The suspects arrested are Usman Mohd, male, 30, Hussain
Idris, male, 37, Adamu Tukur, male, Yau Abdullahi, male, 25, Ali Umar, male,
18, Hassan Usman, male, 40 and Abdullahi Ibrahim, male, 40 years, of Tilde
Village, Funakaye LGA.
“All suspects confessed during preliminary interviews to
participating in several kidnapping operations and receiving an estimated
N150,000,000 ransom from their victims,” the statement read.
"Further intelligence from the arrested suspects led
operatives to a location in the Gadam bush area, where a firearm allegedly used
in kidnapping operations had been concealed.
"As operatives approached the location, they came under
sudden attack from unidentified armed syndicate members.
"A brief exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in
neutralization of two (2) suspected kidnappers, recovery of one (1) General
Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and recovery of eight rounds of live ammunition.
"The bodies of the neutralized suspects have been
deposited at the Specialist Hospital Mortuary, Gombe.
"Recall that on 15/01/2025 at about 0045hrs, a case of
criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping was recorded at Barderi
Village in Akko LGA, where the suspects kidnapped a victim and held him captive
for two weeks until he paid a ransom of fifteen million naira
(N15,000,000).
"The victim (name withheld) later identified the
suspects in our custody after an identification parade as those responsible for
his abduction (specifically suspects No. 1, 2, and 5. Several other victims
have also identified the syndicate as their abductors.
"All arrested suspects and recovered exhibits are
undergoing further discreet investigation, profiling, and will be prosecuted
accordingly.
"The Gombe State Police Command reaffirms its
unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
“The Command appreciates the cooperation of the public and
urges residents to continue providing timely and credible information to
support policing efforts. Further updates will be communicated in due
course.”
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