The Gombe State Police Command has announced a significant success in its campaign against kidnapping and cattle rustling, arresting seven suspected gang members, neutralising two others, and recovering a General Purpose Machine Gun during coordinated operations.
DSP Buhari Abdullahi, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed the development in a statement on Friday.
He explained that the operation was conducted with the support of the Gombe State Professional Hunters Association, following intensified intelligence-led efforts to track and dismantle violent criminal gangs operating across the region.
According to the Command, the operation began on November 23, 2025, around 4:00 a.m., after officers received “credible intelligence from a Good Samaritan” linking Abdullahi Ibrahim, 40, of Tilde Village in Funakaye LGA, to a network of kidnappers and cattle rustlers. Ibrahim was promptly arrested.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to participating in cattle rustling and multiple kidnapping operations. He also provided the identities of several accomplices believed to be active across Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, and Adamawa States.
Acting on these leads, operatives attached to Operation Hattara, working alongside professional hunters, raided several hideouts on November 28.
DSP Abdullahi stated that a gun battle ensued, resulting in the arrest of six additional suspects. Those arrested include Usman Mohammed (30), Hussain Idris (37), Adamu Tukur (37), Yau Abdullahi (25), Ali Umar (18), Hassan Usman (40), along with the earlier arrested Ibrahim.
“All suspects confessed during preliminary interviews to participating in several kidnapping operations and receiving an estimated ₦150,000,000 ransom from their victims,” the police said.
Further intelligence led operatives to the Gadam bush, where the gang allegedly hid a firearm used in past abductions.
As officers approached the location, they were ambushed by unidentified armed members of the syndicate.
“A brief exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in the neutralisation of two suspected kidnappers and the recovery of one GPMG and eight rounds of live ammunition,” DSP Abdullahi stated.
He added that the bodies of the deceased suspects were deposited at the Specialist Hospital Mortuary in Gombe.
Investigators also linked the arrested suspects to a January 15, 2025, abduction in Barderi Village, Akko LGA, where a victim was held for two weeks until a ₦15 million ransom was paid. The victim identified three of the suspects currently in custody as his abductors, and other victims have provided similar identifications.
DSP Abdullahi confirmed that the suspects remain in custody, while recovered exhibits undergo further forensic review.
“All recovered items are being discreetly analysed and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Reassuring residents, the Police Command pledged to sustain pressure on criminal groups.
“The Gombe State Police Command reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across the state,” Abdullahi said, urging the public to continue sharing credible information that can aid policing operations.
