Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed for internal security duties, in recent operations, have arrested a notorious kidnapper and suspected informants in Oyo State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Army, in a statement made available on its official X account on Friday, explained that the troops, acting on an alert about a kidnap syndicate operating around Sepeteri in the Shaki general area, of Oyo State, conducted a stop-and-search operation along the Igboho-Igbeti Road in Igbeti Local Government Area.
“The troops intercepted a suspected kidnapper, Usman Mohammed Aliyu, who was found in possession of four hundred thousand naira (N400,000.00). During further investigation, Aliyu confessed to being involved in cattle rustling and kidnapping. The suspects will be handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies after investigations, the Army said.
ALSO READ: Troops foil kidnap attempt, neutralise IPOB members, recover weapons
In a related development in the Bwari Area Council of the FCT on Thursday, the troops, in its anti-kidnapping operations, raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Ajegunle Mpape, targeting a notorious informant known for harbouring kidnappers.
“During the operation, the troops apprehended an informant suspect named Ashiru Mohammed with two female accomplices, Raham Abubakar and Sadiya Mohammed. The suspects were found in possession of one Beretta pistol, one pistol magazine and 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition. The troops also recovered five ATM cards from different banks, two mobile phones and suspected illicit drugs. The suspects are currently helping in further investigations.
“These coordinated operations are indicative of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to maintaining security and combating criminal activities in synergy with other security agencies across the country. The arrests and seizures are expected to significantly disrupt the operations of kidnap syndicates and other criminal networks in the affected areas,” the statement added.
