Troops Bust Notorious Kidnapping Syndicate in Taraba, Arrest Three Suspects

Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have effectively demolished a notorious kidnapping racket that terrorises areas of Taraba State’s Jalingo and Lau Local Government Areas in a decisive operation meant to tackle criminal activities in the state.

The first two suspects, Ali Idi and Haruna Umar, were captured on October 22, 2024, during a raid at a nearby hotel in the Mayo Dassa neighbourhood of Jalingo city, where they were hiding, in response to an intelligence report.

When their cell phones were searched, incriminating evidence was found, including a picture of Haruna and another person at an unidentified place brandishing an AK-47 gun.

Subsequent enquiries revealed that the gang’s hiding place was at Jalingo LGA’s Kona Mountain, where more syndicate members were thought to be camped.

On October 23, 2024, troops carried out a follow-up operation at Kona Mountain in response to this intelligence. Gang leader Dahiru Idi, also known as Yellow, was captured during this operation.

He admitted under questioning that he had recently abducted three people and demanded a ransom of 6 million Naira in exchange for their release.

The gang leader also revealed that one Yakubu Dogo had moved the two AK-47 weapons they used in their operations to a different area in order to prepare for a future operation.The suspects were found to have three rings, an itel phone, an Airtel SIM card, Indian hemp, and charms.

Speaking on the successful operations, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, Commander 6 Brigade, praised the good people of Taraba State for their unwavering support.

He stated that the military’s primary priority is still combating terrorism, and every attempt will be made to defend the lives and property of the decent people of Taraba State as well as all Nigerians.

He asked everyone to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity and to report it to the appropriate law enforcement.