In a significant breakthrough, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested six suspected kidnappers involved in terrorizing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and parts of Kaduna and Niger states.
The suspects were apprehended during coordinated clearance operations in kidnappers’ dens deep in the forests of Kweri, Kaduna State, and Gauraka Forest, Niger State.
The Commissioner of Police for the FCT, CP Olatunji Disu, while parading the suspects on Monday, emphasized the command’s “zero tolerance” approach towards crime.
He stated, “In pursuance of the FCT command’s mantra of zero tolerance to all forms of crimes, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the FCT Police command conducted clearance operations in kidnappers’ dens deep in the forests of Kweri in Kaduna State and Gauraka Forest in Niger State.”
He revealed that the six individuals arrested were responsible for multiple kidnapping and armed robbery attacks across Dei-dei, Bwari, and Dawaki communities in the FCT, as well as Daupe, Kau, and Sunape villages.
Those arrested include Abdulrahman Giwa, Baba Hassan, Mohammed Dahiru, Abubakar Bature (Alias Dayi), Abubakar Kadiri (Alias Dare), and Kabiru Ibrahim.
The Commissioner further explained that the arrested individuals were part of a larger gang led by a notorious kidnapper known simply as “Mallam,” who was killed during the operation.
“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,” Disu confirmed.
Unfortunately, two FCT Police operatives were seriously injured in the process and are currently undergoing medical treatment.
Further intelligence, according to CP Disu, indicated that the gang operated multiple kidnapping hideouts, keeping their victims in isolated locations.
“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,” the Commissioner disclosed.
