Police Dismantle Major Kidnap Syndicate in Taraba, Arrest Nine and Recover Weapons
JALINGO, Nigeria – April 27, 2025
The Taraba State Police Command has successfully dismantled a notorious kidnapping syndicate operating across northern Nigeria, arresting nine suspects and recovering a cache of weapons in a coordinated operation that spanned several days.
Lead Operation and Arrests
Acting on intelligence from the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, police operatives, supported by local hunters and vigilantes, launched a series of raids between April 25 and 27 in Donga Local Government Area and surrounding communities. The operation led to the arrest of three initial suspects-Shehu Ibrahim (27), Abdullahi Haruna (28), and Yusuf Bello (40)-and the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, two AK-49 rifles, six magazines, and 45 rounds of live ammunition.
Further follow-up raids resulted in the apprehension of six additional suspects, including Sulaiman Mohammed (28), Tijjani Bello (30), and Solomon Nathaniel (32). Police recovered three more AK-47 rifles, one AK-49 rifle, and four magazines from the suspects, who are believed to have orchestrated kidnappings across Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna states.
Suspect Confessions and Modus Operandi
According to police spokesperson James Leshen, the suspects confessed to targeting wealthy individuals, travelers, and rural communities, demanding ransoms that often exceeded ₦20 million per victim. The group exploited remote areas and interstate borders to evade law enforcement, using sophisticated communication methods to coordinate their crimes.
Community Impact and Police Response
The operation follows a March 2025 rescue in which police freed 21 kidnapped victims in Taraba and Kano, underscoring the region’s ongoing battle with kidnapping-for-ransom. Commissioner of Police Emmanuel S. Bretet commended the joint task force for their bravery and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to eradicating criminal networks. “We will not relent until every syndicate threatening the peace of Taraba is brought to justice,” Bretet said.
Residents of Donga and Lau LGAs expressed relief at the arrests but urged authorities to maintain a strong security presence to prevent a resurgence of criminal activity.
Background and Context
Kidnapping for ransom remains a significant security challenge in northern Nigeria, with criminal syndicates often exploiting porous borders and limited rural policing. The Taraba bust is seen as a major victory for law enforcement and a warning to other criminal groups operating in the region.
Conclusion
The suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon completion of investigations. Authorities have called on the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
