The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of suspected informants and a kidnapper in recent anti-kidnap operations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Oyo State.
These operations, based on credible intelligence from the public, aimed to combat kidnapping activities in these regions.
In the Bwari Area Council of the FCT, troops raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Ajegunle Mpape on Thursday, May 23, 2024. During this operation, they apprehended an informant, Ashiru Mohammed, along with two female accomplices, Raham Abubakar and Sadiya Mohammed. The suspects were found in possession of:
- One Beretta pistol
- One pistol magazine
- 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition
- Five ATM cards from different banks
- Two mobile phones
- Suspected illicit drugs
These suspects are currently assisting in further investigations.
In a related operation, troops acted on an alert about a kidnap syndicate operating around Sepeteri in the Shaki general area of Oyo State. They conducted a stop-and-search operation along the Igboho-Igbeti Road in Igbeti Local Government Area and intercepted a suspect, Usman Mohammed Aliyu, who was found in possession of ₦400,000. Aliyu confessed to being involved in cattle rustling and kidnapping during further investigation.
The Nigerian Army’s statement highlighted that these arrests and seizures are expected to significantly disrupt the operations of kidnap syndicates and other criminal networks in the affected areas. The suspects will be handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies after the investigations are completed.
