Police in Taraba State have apprehended nine suspected kidnappers, confiscating a significant cache of weapons including four AK-47 and three AK-49 rifles, along with 45 rounds of live ammunition. This successful arrest was the result of a collaborative effort between the police and local hunters and vigilantes. According to police spokesperson ASP James Lashen, the operation was initiated based on credible intelligence.

The arrested individuals include Shehu Ibrahim (27) from Larai Gada, Ilorin; Abdullahi Haruna (28) from Angwan Karofi, Bauchi State; and Yusuf Bello from Birama Village in Donga LGA of Taraba State. Further investigation led to the capture of six more individuals identified as notorious gang leaders involved in kidnapping activities across Taraba, Bauchi, Plateau, Kaduna, and Gombe states. These include Sulaiman Mohammed (28) of Lariski Village, Gombe; Tijjani Bello (30) of Nasarawo Jalingo, Taraba; Muhammed Umar (25) of Sabo Gari Jalingo, Taraba; Adamu Ibrahim (22) of Mutum Daya, Karim Lamido LGA, Taraba; Solomon Nathaniel (32) of Logo, Benue; and Haruna Adamu (25) of Lushi Village, Lau LGA, Taraba.

The items recovered from these suspects consist of three AK-47 rifles, one AK-49 rifle, four magazines, and 45 rounds of live ammunition. ASP Lashen stated that the suspects have confessed to their crimes and are part of a larger network that has been terrorizing the region. CP Emmanuel S. Bretet, the Taraba State Commissioner of Police, has emphasized the Command’s dedication to fighting criminal gangs and ensuring the safety and security of all residents across the state.

In a separate development, Senator Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State, has praised President Bola Tinubu for the appointment of Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi as Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), attributing the agency’s recent achievements to his leadership. This commendation comes after the Kaduna DSS Command successfully conducted 34 operations in the first quarter of 2025, leading to the arrest of 54 suspects, including current security personnel, and the recovery of a large quantity of arms and ammunition.

Speaking through the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), Governor Sani noted that the seized items included five AK-47 rifles, a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), three RPGs, and over 5,000 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, 79 kidnapped victims were rescued and are currently under state custody. The arrested suspects include eight suspected bandits, 22 informants, four gunrunners, two human traffickers, four cyber fraudsters, two vandals, and 12 family members of bandits. One of the suspects is a serving security operative from Zamfara State, who was apprehended with 217 rounds of ammunition intended for sale to bandits for N4 million. Further arrests included gunrunners transporting 500 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition to Birnin Gwari for N1.5 million and another carrying over 1,700 rounds headed to Zamfara.

In a related operation, DSS operatives in Delta State seized more than 50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action guns, and over 3,000 rounds of ammunition during a covert mission in Asaba, highlighting the widespread efforts to combat crime and insecurity across multiple states.