Police: We’ve arrested mastermind of 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has arrested one Ibrahim Abdullahi, the suspected mastermind of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack of 2022.

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, police public relations officer (PPRO), spoke in Kaduna on Thursday while providing updates on the force operations.

Adejobi said Abdullahi, also known as Mande, was apprehended by the anti-kidnapping unit of the Kaduna State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on January 12.

The force spokesperson said Abdullahi confessed to being a leader of a kidnapping syndicate terrorising the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

On March 28, 2022, gunmen attacked an Abuja-bound Kaduna train and killed many passengers.

Several others were injured while 61 persons were also abducted during the attack.

All the abducted passengers were released at various intervals, with the latest batch freed after seven months.

‘MANDE WAS INVOLVED IN ABDUCTIONS AT GREEN FIELD VARSITY’

Adejobi said Mande was also involved in the abduction of students of Greenfield University in Kaduna state.

On April 20, 2021, armed bandits attacked the institution and abducted 20 students and three officials.

Five of the students and a male warden were killed while in captivity.

The students and staff were also released in batches with the last batch freed on May 29, 2021.

“On January 12, 2024, police operatives attached to the anti-kidnapping unit of the Kaduna State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), based on credible information, swooped on and arrested one Ibrahim Abdullahi, also known as Mande, at the Abuja-Kaduna road flyover by Rido junction,” Adejobi said.

“The suspect confessed to being the leader of a kidnap syndicate terrorising the Kaduna-Abuja highway, ranked among other criminals like Dogo Gide and Bello Turji.

“He had participated in various kidnapping incidents, including the abduction at Green Field University, and he was involved in almost all the kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna highway. He was also involved in the popular Kaduna-Abuja train attack but had run away. We promised Nigerians that he would be arrested.”

The police spokesperson said the strategy of the force has paid off.

He added that a helicopter has been deployed to serve as an escort for trains using the route to provide aerial support for the ground troops, including police, and other security agencies deployed along the corridor.

“This proactive measure aims to prevent attacks and act as a first responder in the event of any untoward incidents,” he said.

Adejobi said the police also arrested 81 suspects for armed robbery; 40 for kidnapping; 73  for murder/homicide; 36 for rape; 22 involved in cult-related crimes, and 28 for engaging in other criminal activities.

He said 16 firearms of various calibre with 226 ammunition of diverse types were recovered.

The police spokesperson added that 28 stolen vehicles, over 200 harmful weapons, and 600 bags of fertilisers have been retrieved, while 158 kidnapped victims have been rescued.