The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended six suspects accused of being part of a notorious kidnapping ring that terrorized communities in Abuja, Kaduna, and Niger states. The arrests were made during a series of clearance operations led by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
Speaking in Abuja while presenting the suspects, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, emphasized the force’s commitment to tackling crime. “In pursuance of the FCT command’s mantra of zero tolerance to all forms of crimes, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit conducted clearance operations in kidnappers’ dens deep in the forests of Kweri in Kaduna State and Gauraka Forest in Niger State,” CP Disu stated.
Arrested Suspects Identified
The police named the six arrested suspects as Abdulrahman Giwa, Baba Hassan, Mohammed Dahiru, Abubakar Bature (also known as Dayi), Abubakar Kadiri (also known as Dare), and Kabiru Ibrahim. According to CP Disu, these individuals are believed to be responsible for several armed robbery and kidnapping incidents across various communities, including Dei-Dei, Bwari, and Dawaki in the FCT, as well as Daupe, Kau, and Sunape villages.
“These suspects were actively involved in numerous attacks that have threatened the safety of residents in these areas,” the police commissioner added, highlighting the impact of their criminal activities.
Leader of the Kidnapping Ring Neutralized
CP Disu also revealed that the arrested suspects were part of a larger gang previously led by an individual identified only as Mallam, who is now deceased. The police chief explained that during the operations in the Kweri and Gauraka forests, Mallam and eight other members of the gang were “neutralized” following a fierce gun battle with the police.
“During the operations involving the assault of the strongholds of the kidnappers in Kweri and Gauraka forests, Mallam and eight other suspects were neutralized after an intense exchange of gunfire,” CP Disu noted. He further informed that two police officers sustained serious injuries during the operation and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
Hostages Held in Remote Forests
The police investigation uncovered that the gang used remote forest locations as hideouts for their hostages. CP Disu disclosed, “Intelligence revealed that the gang kept their hostages in various locations in Gidan Dogo forest in Kaduna, Gauraka forest in Niger, Kweri forest, and Kachia forest in Kaduna.”
These forested areas served as bases from which the kidnappers launched attacks and demanded ransoms for the release of their captives, creating fear and insecurity in the region.
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Community Safety and Police Efforts
CP Disu reassured residents of Abuja, Niger, and Kaduna of the police’s continued dedication to maintaining safety and security in the affected areas. He called on the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement. “We are committed to eradicating the menace of kidnapping and all forms of crime in the FCT and neighboring states,” he affirmed.
The police have vowed to continue their efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks and secure the region. Residents have praised the recent arrests as a positive step towards improving security and safety in the communities previously targeted by the criminal gang.