Police Arrest Nine Kidnappers in Taraba, Recover Weapons and Ammunition
By Our Correspondent
The Taraba State Police Command has apprehended nine suspected kidnappers and recovered four AK-47 and three AK-49 rifles, along with forty-five rounds of live ammunition.
This information is detailed in a press release signed by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) James Lashen Saminu, in Jalingo, the state capital.
“The Taraba State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Emmanuel S. Bretet psc(+), has achieved another significant breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping in the state. Weapons have been recovered,” the statement read.
On April 25, 2025, acting on credible information, operatives from the FID STS Force headquarters in Abuja, in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups, successfully arrested the following individuals: Shehu Ibrahim (27) from Larai Gada, Ilorin; Abdullahi Haruna (28) from Angwan Karofi, Bauchi State; and Yusuf Bello from Birama village in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State.
During interrogation, the suspects confessed to involvement in multiple kidnapping incidents. The following items were recovered: one AK-47 rifle, two AK-49 rifles, six AK magazines, and forty-five rounds of live ammunition.
Notably, prior intelligence on this notorious gang had already led to the arrest of additional members, including Sulaiman Mohammed (28) from Lariski, Gombe State; Tijjani Bello (30) from Nasarawo, Jalingo, Taraba State; Muhammed Umar (25) from Sabo Gari, Jalingo, Taraba State; Adamu Ibrahim (22) from Mutum Daya, Karim Lamido, Taraba State; Solomon Nathaniel (32) from Logo, Benue State; and Haruna Adamu (25) from Lushi village, Lau, Taraba State.
The exhibits recovered from them include:
1. Three AK-47 rifles,
2. One AK-49 rifle,
3. Four AK-37 magazines.
According to the PPRO, the suspects have confessed to various heinous crimes and are connected to the notorious gang of kidnappers terrorizing Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States.
The Command emphasized that investigations are ongoing and that efforts are being made to apprehend the remaining members of the syndicate.
Commissioner of Police, Taraba State Command, CP Emmanuel S. Bretet, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to eradicating criminal gangs and ensuring the safety and security of lives and property in the state.
