Bauchi: Police kill two suspected kidnappers, arrest 8…recovers N8 million,  dangerous weapons

From David Kuvie Bauchi

The fight over kidnappers who have given residents of Bauchi State sleepless nights has recorded a huge success as two suspected kidnappers have been killed in an exchange of gunfire with the police, while eight others were arrested.

Commissioner of police, Mr Mamman Sanda, who made the disclosure on Tuesday at a press briefing in his office, said the suspected kidnappers had been terrorising residents of parts of the state.

Sanda said that series of operations were launched by the command this year to dislodge kidnappers and others from carrying out their criminal activities in the State.

He disclosed that in one of the operations, six suspected kidnappers were arrested on August 23,2022, by a team of detectives attached to the Command.

He said the suspects were involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, Cattle rustling and possession of dangerous weapons and criminal conspiracy.

The CP said the suspected kidnappers terrorised residents of Alkaleri, Dass, Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro and Toro Local Government Areas of the State and some parts of Plateau State.

“Our operatives arrested the six suspects at Sabon-gida village Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area and Guram Wase LGA Plateau States,” he said.

The CP  gave the names of the suspects arrested in one of the operations – all male –  as Adamu Aliyu, 35, alias Do something, a member of vigilante group

Adamu Abdullahi, 35, of Guram village Plateau State, a member of vigilante group Longnan Bali, 60, alias Guguwa of Guram village Plateau State, a member of vigilante group, Hassan Muhammed, 32, Yakubu Muhammadu, 25 and Umar Abdullahi, 34.

“The above-mentioned suspects, alleged to have criminally conspired with others while armed with AK-47rifles, Pistols and other dangerous weapons, carried-out series of Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Banditry and Cattle Rustling along Alkaleri, Dass, Tafawa Balewa, Bagoro, and Toro LGAs Bauchi State,” the Commissioner of police disclosed.

“They extended their criminal activities to neighboring towns, which include Wase, Dengi Kanam, Langtang north, Kanke and Mangu LGA, Plateau State respectively.

“The following exhibits were recovered from the suspects;  one  AK-47 rifles with 30 rounds of live ammunitions, two Barretta Pistol and 58 rounds of live ammunitions.

“Similarly, on 7/09/2022 at about 1600hrs a Patrol team attached to Maina-maji Divisional Police Headquarters in collaboration with vigilante group acted on credible intelligence and raided a suspected kidnappers’ Den,” he disclosed.

“On arrival, the kidnappers opened fire on the Police operatives. While returning fire, two of the kidnappers were neutralized at the spot, while one was arrested namely Hussaini Salisu and one Muhammadu Lawali, 25 (deceased) 

Dangi Surname unknown yet (deceased) all of Gobiya, Mundu villages of Bogoro and Dangi LGAs Plateau State”

Meanwhile, the following exhibits were recovered from their den; one (1) AK-47 rifle, 29 live ammunition”

In a related operation, the CP disclosed that the police command also recorded victory over kidnappers saying on September 16, 2022,  arrested one Abubakar Isah, 20, of Tashan Daudu Soro via Ganjuwa LGA at Gobirawa axis for Criminal Conspiracy, Armed Robbery, kidnapping and being in possession of prohibited firearms and ammunitions

“The following exhibits were recovered in his possession;Eight million four hundred- and sixty-six-thousand-naira (N8.466,000.00) cash, one SMG rifle with ninety-two live ammunition, One empty magazine SMG OFN rifle, One 7.62mm caliber of live ammunitions, Eight different model of phones,one MP3, one Honda Motorcycle, one Cutlass,” he disclosed.

The CP revealed that mopped up armed recovered include one fabricated AK-47 riffle with empty magazine, two Dane-gun, one Pump action JOJEFF MAGNUM, one single barrel gun, one revolver (fabricated)”

The police boss said the Command has not been resting on its oars in the areas of crime bursting towards ensuring adequate peace and security in the State. 

“We shall not relent and we shall continue to deliver on our mandate to protect lives and properties of the people of Bauchi State by ensuring a peaceful and conducive atmosphere,” he said.

He urged the people of the State to go about their normal and lawful businesses and to keep the police abreast on the progress of the Command regularly.