Troops arrest 23 suspects for ‘kidnapping, armed robbery’ in four states

Troops of the Nigerian army have arrested 23 suspects for kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes in Kaduna, Bauchi, Plateau, and Kano states.

The task force carried out the arrest within the past two months.

Dominic Onyemelu, commander of the task force, said 17 suspects were arrested for alleged involvement in kidnapping, four for armed robbery, and two for illegal possession of firearms.

Onyemelu, a major general, said: “On February 24, own troops in conjunction with personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on routine patrol along Shendam-Lafia road in Shendam LGA of Plateau, intercepted a passerby, one Mr Wisdom Dunyel, with a Harrisburg pistol loaded with seven rounds of 9mm ammunition.

“Also, on March 16, we received a distress call on an attempted kidnap of one Alhaji Gambo Yawuro at his residence in Lishin, Jengre community in Pengana, Bassa LGA.

“Troops in collaboration with the members of vigilante and locals foiled the attempt and arrested these 17 suspects.

“The 17 kidnap suspects, who arrested alongside 7 motorcycles, a locally fabricated rifle, two live cartridges, 13 cutlasses, 3 daggers, 15 cell phones and assorted charms, are from Kaduna, Bauchi, Plateau and Kano states.

“Similarly, on March 22, our troops responded to a distress call of an ongoing robbery operation along Haske-Lamingo in Jos North LGA of Plateau.

“Troops swiftly responded and arrested four members of the syndicate group who robbed a lady and threw her out of a moving tricycle.”