THE Taraba State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 28 suspects for various crimes, including the abductors of two Taraba varsity students in the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, David Iloyanomon, disclosed this while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Jalingo, the state capital.
The police boss also revealed that the masterminds of the assassination of a third class monarch in Gassol Local Government Area of the state last week, have been apprehended and are giving useful information that will lead to the arrest of the assassins.
According to him, the police is searching for the former chairman of Takum local area, Mr Shiban Tikari, in connection with the 2017 murder of the former member of Taraba Assembly Hosea IBI.
“On 22/03/2024, Police operatives attached to Gembu Division arrested one Abdulkarim Ibrahim at Perogal Tunga village in Sardauna LGA. Suspect who has been terrorizing villages in the Local Government confessed to have been involved in several kidnappings. Investigation is ongoing in order to arrest his cohorts.
“On 01/04/2024 at about 22:46hrs, one Ahmed Debat of Federal University Wukari, reported at Wukari Division that, on same date at about 21:30hrs, gunmen invaded one Eatery belonging to one Moses Innocent of Ranok Estate along Zaki-Biam/Wukari road and kidnapped two of his workers namely; Joshua Sardauna and Obianu Elizabeth all students of Federal University to unknown destination.
“On 04/04/2024 Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping team arrested one Garba Yahaya of Ali Yola village, Gassol LGA and one Abdullahi Usman of Angwan Galadima, Yola town. The suspects confessed to have been involved in series of kidnapping in Gassol LGA and have collected six million nine hundred thousand naira from one Alhaji Bugga. The sum of eight hundred and fifty thousand and two live cartridges were recovered.
“On 24/04/2024, a team of operatives attached to State Intelligence department (SID) State headquarters Jalingo, acting on credible intelligence arrested two suspects(names withheld) in connection with the killing of one Abdulmutalib Nuhu Jankada, the third class monarch of Sansani chiefdom in Gassol LGA who was shot dead at his residence on 18/04/2024. The suspects, who appear to be the masterminds of the killing of the monarch, are cooperating with the police in furtherance of the investigation,” the police boss narrated.
The police also gave account of how other suspects were arrested.
Meanwhile, troops of 93 Battalion Sub-sector 3B of Operation Whirl Stroke have killed two extremists in Ussa Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The troops acting on credible intelligence carried out clearance operations in Rikwenmakpawere and Alaha villages before foiling an attack in Kwesati village.
The troops had engaged the armed militias with superior firepower, forcing them to retreat in disarray, killing two and recovering one AK-47 magazine with seven rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
This is contained in a press statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director, 6 Brigade Army Public Relations Oni Olubodunde.
According to him, the troops of 114 battalion Sub sector 3C apprehended two suspected extremists in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Subsequent interrogation of the suspects led to the recovery of additional weapons including one SMG rifle, one single-barrel gun, two AK-47 magazines, and 51 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The statement insists that the troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke will unrelentingly demonstrate their unwavering determination to eliminate terrorism, insurgency, and other criminal activities in Taraba State.
It stressed that troops of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS will continue to prioritise the safety and security of all citizens in Taraba State.