Troops from the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade, based in Jalingo, Taraba State, arrested three members of a kidnapping group on Monday, dismantling a gang responsible for several kidnappings in the area.
The operation was part of ongoing efforts to reduce crime in Taraba.
The Acting Assistant Director of 6 Brigade Army Public Relations, Captain Olubodunde Oni, explained in a statement that soldiers from the 6 Brigade and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke carried out the raid. “Troops successfully dismantled the notorious kidnapping syndicate that had been terrorising Jalingo and Lau Local Government Areas,” he said.
The statement revealed that two suspects, Ali Idi and Haruna Umar, were first captured on October 22, 2024, during a raid at a hotel in Jalingo’s Mayo Dassa area. Oni added, “A search of their mobile phones uncovered incriminating evidence, including a photograph of Haruna holding an AK-47 rifle alongside an unidentified accomplice.”
Further investigation led troops to the gang’s hideout on Kona Mountain in Jalingo, where they apprehended the group’s leader, Dahiru Idi, also known as “Yellow,” on October 23. During interrogation, Dahiru admitted to a recent kidnapping in which three victims were held for ransom. He revealed that the gang received 6 million Naira in ransom payments and had hidden their AK-47 rifles in preparation for future operations.
In the raid, the soldiers confiscated items from the suspects, including an Itel phone, Indian hemp, various charms, three rings, and an Airtel SIM card.
Commander of the 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, praised the residents of Taraba for their continued support, emphasizing the military’s dedication to fighting crime in the area. “The safety of lives and property remains our top priority. We will continue to work relentlessly to protect the people of Taraba and all Nigerians,” he stated, urging the public to stay alert and report suspicious activities to the authorities.
